Ex-President Arroyo meets with Romualdez, says he is ‘very qualified’

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday welcomed statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he would back House Majority Floor Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez if he decides to run for vice president in next year's elections.

“I am happy for Martin. Indeed, he is very qualified,” Arroyo said in a statement.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras,” Arroyo, the president emeritus of Lakas-CMD party, met with Romualdez, the party president, Senator Imee Marcos and former Senator Bong Bong Marcos on Monday. 

“I think the overall theme of the lunch discussion was that Senator Imee was asking for some advice, and then there were exchanges, updating as to the plans of everyone there,” Romualdez said.

“Senator Imee and [former] Senator Bong Bong also were very, very appreciative for all support that [former] president GMA extended to them,” he added.

The congressman is also known to be close to the president's daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who is being pushed to run for president.

Former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has also offered himself as Sara’s running mate should she decide to seek the presidency.

Arroyo backed Teodoro in his presidential bid in 2010.  

Sara, meanwhile, has declined to comment.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News