Cusi-led PDP-Laban faction on another prexy bet: Wala kaming hinihintay

A faction of the ruling PDP-Laban party is not waiting for another candidate, specifically for the presidential and vice presidential posts, in the coming national elections, an official said Friday.

The party's Alfonso Cusi wing's secretary general, Attorney Melvin Matibag, underscored that as of this time the presidential and vice presidential candidate of the ruling party is Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, respectively.

During the Friday News forum, Matibag was asked if the party is waiting for another possible candidate for the national elections.

"Wala po, sabi ko nga if you are basing your question to my answer today, wala po kaming hinihintay. Ang sinasabi ko lang, we are prepared of any changes changes or eventuality before or on November 15," Matibag said.

(None. If you are basing your question to my answer today, we are not waiting for anyone. What I'm saying is we are prepared of any changes changes or eventuality before or on November 15.)

"If you're asking me, I'll base my answer on the present situation which is today, so if you will ask me today, ang isasagot ko, I'm certain that it's hundred percent sure that our tandem is Bato-Go, president and vice president po," he added.

Matibag, however, said the party is prepared for any changes that might happen before or on November 15.

Under the calendar of the Commission on Elections for the 2022 polls, substitution for a candidate in a national or local post can be filed from the end of the COC filing period until November 15, 2021.

"Nakahanda po kami lagi kung ano man ang magiging pagbabago o changes pa na mangyayari bago mag-November 15 o on November 15. Nakikita niyo naman po ang nagiging adjustment ng partido based on situation eh kaya po any eventuality, ang sasabihin ko lang po, ang PDP-Laban, ay handa po kung ano man po ang magiging kaganapan..." he added.

(We are ready for any changes before or on November 15. As you can see, the party adjusts depending on any situation. The PDP-Laban is ready for any eventuality.)

Matibag earlier said there is nothing wrong if Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, would be replaced before November 15 as the Comelec allows the process of substitution.

He said the issue on substitution "would not have mattered" if President Rodrigo Duterte did not use this option during his candidacy for the 2016 elections.

Dela Rosa earlier admitted that his decision to run for president was finalized about two hours before the period of filing COC ended on October 8.

Matibag, however, denied that the senator was not a "last minute" candidate. — RSJ, GMA News