PHILIPPINES— PDP-Laban president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has confirmed that there are efforts by the ruling party to convince President Rodrigo Duterte to run for senator in the coming 2022 elections.
Cusi said if Duterte would run for senator, he could also be the campaign manager of Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, who are running for president and vice president in the 2022 elections, respectively.
“Now, if the President would not run for vice president because he is firm on his decision not to go back on his word, I said why not run for the Senate so he could bring change there? That will be good for the country,” Cusi said in a statement issued Wednesday.
Cusi said having Duterte at the Senate would certainly push for PDP-Laban’s reforms in the legislature.
He also believed that Duterte would boost the Dela Rosa-Go tandem as the President enjoys a high approval rating.
“As I said, he will be our best campaign manager during the campaign,” Cusi said.
GMA News Online has reached out to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque but he has yet to reply as of posting time.
Go filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president under PDP-Laban last October 2. Go said Duterte had decided to withdraw his certificate of nomination and acceptance so he will be running for the position.
The PDP-Laban fielded Dela Rosa, former top cop, to run for president as they believed he could continue Duterte’s programs.
Go, Duterte’s long-time aide, vowed to continue the administration’s fight against drugs, criminality and corruption, as well as the Build, Build, Build projects or the infrastructure program of the government. — RSJ, GMA News
