Duterte accepts PDP-Laban's nomination for vice president in Eleksyon 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte has formally accepted his nomination for vice president in Eleksyon 2022 by the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

“Thank you for the nomination, I am hopeful that this will allow me to continue serving the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

“Alam mo bakit ako tatakbong Vice President? Is it ambition? Maybe. Love of country? Yes,” he added.

Duterte said he had never been engaged in corruption in his four decades in the government.

“Kung nag-corrupt ako, I have been here 40 years, bakit ngayon pa? Bakit ako makialam sa procurement? E di sana noon pa, inumpisahan ko na (If I was indeed corrupt, I have been here 40 years, why would I do it now? I would have done that years ago),” Duterte said.

“You must believe in me. Why would I dip my hands in the procurement?,” Duterte added, referring to the P8 billion worth of government purchases of COVID-19 supplies that is being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Duterte said that he would have faced his party-mates if he was involved in corruption.

“How can I, in good conscience, administer your oath, kung ako may ginawang kalokohan (if I am doing something illegal)? Michael Yang...walang record ‘yan, hindi kriminal 'yan (Yang has no record of wrongdoing and is not a criminal),” Duterte said.

Yang is his former adviser who is being linked to Pharmally corporation where the government purchased P8 billion worth of pandemic supplies now under question by the Senate panel for alleged overpricing.

Duterte did not mention a preferred standard bearer but described his long time aide Senator Bong Go as "a very bright person."

PDP-Laban nominated Go for President, but the Senator declined.

Nominees for senator include: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Leyte Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Public Works and Highways Mark Villar, chairperson Greco Belgica of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and Sagip party-list representative Rodante Marcoleta. -NB, GMA News