Gatchalian eyes VP run in Eleksyon 2022 but only as Sara Duterte's running mate

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday he would run for vice presidential post in next year's elections but only if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will pick him as her running mate.

In an ANC interview, Gatchalian said he met with Mayor Duterte in March as he was invited by the Hugpong ng Pagbabago to join their senatorial slate for the 2022 elections.

“Speaker Lord [Allan Velasco] was the emissary who invited me to be part of their Senate slate and when we had that conversation I also opened up the possibility of running for vice president under her group,” Gatchalian said.

When asked if in case Mayor Duterte won't pick him as running mate, Gatchalian said: “I will not run for VP.”

For now, Gatchalian said his plan to seek the vice presidency is still “fluid” and he is still discussing this to various groups. He said his plans also hinge on Mayor Duterte's decision on whether to run for president or not next year.

“The last time we talked, she is still contemplating whether she will run or not, but definitely a lot of personalities have signified to run with her and being a person with experience, I also signified but then again everything is still fluid,” he said.

Apart from Gatchalian, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has signified his intention to be Mayor Duterte’s running mate in the 2022 elections.

On the other hand, Gatchalian, a member of the Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition (NPC), said he is discussing his possible vice presidential run with Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

He said he had a “fatherly” conversation with Sotto, the chairman of the NPC, when he opened about his 2022 election plans.

“Rest assured, that we will not have any conflict being party-mates and being a person who respects him, we will not have any conflict. We keep our lines of communications open and we talked about this,” Gatchalian said.

Sotto will also be running for vice president in the upcoming polls with Senator Panfilo Lacson as his running mate. —KBK, GMA News