1Sambayan: Duterte running for VP legally, morally wrong

Opposition group 1Sambayan on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s vice presidential bid in the upcoming elections is a mockery of the Constitution.

This was after ruling party PDP-Laban announced that Duterte has accepted the party’s endorsement for him to run for vice president.

“It shows a clear mockery of our Constitution and democratic process. Obviously, this is driven by fear of accountability both from the ICC and from our own justice system,” the coalition said in a statement.

“The candidacy is both legally and morally wrong, and we trust the Filipino people will realize his brazen, selfish, and self-serving motives,” it added.

In a separate statement, Kilusang Mayo Uno also condemned Duterte’s decision to run for vice president, saying it was a desperate move to stay in power and escape his criminal liabilities.

“Palibhasa'y limpak limpak na salapi ang naimbak mula sa kaban ng bayan at hawak niya sa kamay ang batas, ito ang Duterte Legacy na hindi niya mabitawan,” KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said.

“Kaya kasapakat ang PDP-LABAN, naghahangad siyang tumakbo muli para sa pansariling interes,” he added.

Labog said KMU believes that those who want Duterte to stay in power do so because they would benefit from it such as big businessmen, politicians, foreigners who benefit from the country’s natural resources and manpower.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has also said Duterte’s vice presidential bid “goes against the spirit” of the Constitution and warned of “serious problems” in the future in the line of succession to the presidency. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News