Velasco says up to voters to support Duterte-Duterte tandem

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Monday said he sees no problem with a possible Duterte-Duterte tandem in the 2022 elections, adding it is up to voters if they will support such partnership.

In a television interview, Velasco said he believes the tandem is not "garapal (shameless)."

Velasco has been vocal that he would support Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, if they decide to run for the highest national posts next year, regardless if they hail from different political parties.

"I don't think naman na garapal 'yan. It's still up to the voters whether they'll vote for a Duterte-Duterte tandem. So as to the dynasty, we've seen a lot of dynasties in each and every legislative district," Velasco told ANC.

Velasco has said he would give his "all-out support" to President Duterte if ever the president decides to run for vice president in the 2022 elections.

He also said he would back Mayor Sara if she runs for president as he sees the younger Duterte's competency to lead the nation, adding that the mayor could even continue what her father had started.

For Velasco, there is nothing wrong if two individuals hailing from the same family will serve the country. He noted that the term "political dynasty" has been given a "bad connotation."

"I guess the political dynasty has its bad connotation maybe because when we see dynasty before, in the past, nothing has been happening in the said district so that's why I guess there's really a negative connotation that people don't want a dynasty," he said.

"But looking at dynasties right now, a lot of provinces and a lot of districts definitely, we've seen very good changes, a lot of progress," Velasco added.

"So I don't really see a problem as to dynasties or from the same family serving our country and again, like what I said, it's up to the voters if they will vote for a Duterte-Duterte tandem." —KBK, GMA News