Lakas-CMD to support Sara Duterte if she decides to seek higher post in Eleksyon 2022 — Romualdez

Lakas-Christian Muslims Democrats president and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said Lakas-CMD is ready to support Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is she decides to seek a higher elective position in the coming 2022 elections.

This as Lakas-CMD decided to renew its alliance with regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago as it seeks to create a multi-party coalition with the aim to pursue political and socio-economic reforms laid out by the Duterte administration.

“If Mayor Sara Duterte decides to seek higher office for 2022, we are ready to work for her victory in the coming election,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said the alliance would bind the two parties to support whoever they decide to field as candidate for president in the 2022 elections. 

The decision to renew alliance with HNP came after the national executive meeting of the Lakas-CMD on Wednesday.

“I call on other political parties to join us and be part of our mission to form a broad multi-party coalition anchored on shared principles. We need coalition partners that share the same vision of building a strong Republic through sustainable growth and development of the regions,” he said.

Sara expresses gratitude

In a statement, Duterte thanked Lakas-CMD for its support for her possible 2022 presidential bid.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Lakas CMD for the unconditional support,” she said in a statement.

In the same statement, the Duterte confirmed that officers of Hugpong ng Pagbabago are in talks with several highly-placed national officials about her possible 2022 presidential bid.

But Duterte clarified that she has yet to decide on her 2022 plans, including possibly gunning for the presidency.

“I was assured that everyone involved in these talks will respect my decision if I decide against running for president,” she added.

The filing of candidacy is set October 1 to 8 this year.

‘Influential party’

Romualdez, meanwhile, acknowledged that HNP is a very influential party.

“Nakita po natin sa 2019 elections, maraming nahalal na HNP-endorsed na senatorial candidates. We are very mindful, we have deep respect for the influence and ability of the HNP to deliver support,” Romualdez said.

(We’ve seen in the 2019 elections that many HNP-endorsed senatorial candidates won.)

The Lakas-CMD previously signed an alliance agreement with HNP on November 7, 2018, which paved the way for their partnership in the 2019 mid-term elections.

According to Romualdez, the Lakas-CMD has no specific lineup yet for the coming polls.

“Wala pang specific lineups. Those specifics yet po is just the intent in spirit of continuing the alliance with the HNP. So we haven't gotten to that point yet. Aabot din ‘yung panahon na ‘yan pero sa ngayon, hindi pa,” Romualdez said.

(There’s no specific lineups yet. We will reach that point.)

Running for VP?

Meanwhile, Romualdez said he has no decision yet if he will run for vice president.

“Well, pinag-iisipan natin nang husto, we are very much in deep consideration of this opportunity to vie for the second highest position in the land, it would be done with consultations… from where I hail, the province of Leyte, of course with our party members, I will rely heavily on that,” he said.

(We are seriously thinking about it.)

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he will support Romualdez if the latter decides to run for vice president in the coming national elections.

The Leyte lawmaker thanked Duterte and said he is keeping his options open for the May 2022 elections.

He had admitted that the President’s expression of support adds some weight on the decision he will make. — with Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News