Duterte agreed to seek VP post in Eleksyon 2022 —PDP-Laban

President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted PDP-Laban's endorsement for him to run for vice president in the 2022 elections, the party said on Tuesday.

“President Duterte agreed to make the sacrifice, heed the clamor of the people, and accepted the endorsement of PDP-Laban party for him to run as Vice President in the 2022 national elections,” PDP-Laban said in a statement.

The statement was signed by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, PDP-Laban executive vice president.

Malacañang has yet to confirm this, but at a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte may make an announcement during his address to the nation on Tuesday night.

Roque, however, said Duterte had a meeting with PDP-Laban president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Monday night. 

"I can only confirm na kagabi nagpulong po ang Presidente kasama ang pangulo ng PDP-Laban na si Secretary Cusi, kasama rin si presidential assistant to the Visayas Michael Dino, pero hindi po ako kasama sa pagpupulong," he said.

(I can confirm that the President met with PDP-Laban president Secretary Cusi together with presidential assistant to the Visayas Michael Dino last night, but I was not part of the meeting.)

"I do not have personal knowledge on what transpired and I will leave it to PDP-Laban as a political party to make the proper announcement," Roque added.

'Popular calls'

In its statement, PDP-Laban said Duterte agreed to run for vice president "[a]fter being presented with popular calls from PDP Laban regional, provincial, and down to barangay councils aspiring for a transition of leadership that will guarantee continuity of the administration's programs during the past five years."

The party said these include:

• battles against terrorism, insurgency, corruption and poverty, and the scourge of illegal drugs;
• the successful implementation of the Build-Build-Build Program and the 10-Point Socio-Economic Agenda
• to ensure that the country's  COVID-19 Vaccination Program will be sustained in the critical stage of the pandemic where targets are steadily achieved  (now reaching 45% in the NCR and neighboring regions)

Duterte earlier said he would run for vice president if his critics continue to threaten him with criminal charges once his term ends on June 30, 2022.

He was referring to retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who previously said the President can be held liable over drug war killings, if not tolerance of Chinese incursions within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in West Philippine Sea. 

Duterte had also said that he is "sold to the idea" of seeking for the second highest position in the land in the 2022 elections. 

Integrated Bar of the Philippines immediate past president Atty. Domingo Cayosa has said an outgoing president's possible election as vice president may be questioned before the Supreme Court although there are limitations to do this. 

Senate bets

Meanwhile, in the same PDP-Laban statement, the ruling party said the following personalities will form part of its senatorial slate:

• Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta;
• Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan
• Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
• Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade
• Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar

PDP-Laban also said these matters will be further discussed when it holds its national convention on September 8 at San Jose del Monte Convention Center in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.  —KBK, GMA News