PDP Laban Senate bets join Hugpong miting de avance

DAVAO CITY — A day before the midterm election campaign comes to an end, PDP Laban senatorial candidates joined the Duterte-led Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod miting de avance on Friday.

Despite heavy rain, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte personally endorsed the 10-man PDP Laban senatorial slate called “DuterTEN.”

Baste is running for vice mayor in the 2025 national and local elections, while his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is seeking to reclaim the mayoral seat even as he is currently detained at The Hague, Netherlands, to face trial at the International Criminal Court in connection with his administration's war on drugs.

Baste’s half-sister Veronica “Kitty” Duterte and her mother Honeylet Acanceña also showed their support for the candidates. 

Reelectionist senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go; lawyers Vic Rodriguez, Jimmy Bondoc, and Jayvee Hinlo; Dr. Richard Mata; and actor Philip Salvador flew to Davao City to join Hugpong’s miting de avance a day after the PDP Laban held its own miting de avance at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Meanwhile, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Atty. Raul Lambino, and detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy were not able to attend.

In their speeches, the senatorial candidates appealed to supporters to “vote straight” on May 12, so they can get a fighting chance to block the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

They also cried foul over the “illegal” arrest of Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity, stressing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

They also criticized the Marcos administration over the P20 per kilo of rice, and the alleged use of ayuda or financial assistance during the election period.

Three other Dutertes are vying for local posts in Davao City.

Paolo "Pulong" Duterte is seeking reelection as congressman, while his son Rodrigo Duterte II is running as councilor in the 1st district.

Pulong’s eldest son, Omar, is also running as representative of the 2nd district. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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