A Duterte-Duterte or a Marcos-Marcos team for 2022 will get the people’s support if either of the tandem can pass the “test of credibility and outstanding performance,” House Minority Leader and Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said Wednesday.
Paduano joined three of his colleagues in the House minority in airing their respective views on the declaration of presidential chief legal adviser Salvador Panelo that support for the tandem of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and her father, President Duterte, has started to gain ground.
He also referred to a possible team up between former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his elder sister, incumbent Sen. Imee Marcos.
“So long as they are qualified, the people will validate this,” the opposition solon stated.
Deputy Minority Leader and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo and Asst. Minority Leaders Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Partylist) and Argel Cabatbat (Magsasaka Partylist) also reacted to the Panelo announcement made in Bayambang, Pangasinan the other day.
Quimbo said what matters most in the forthcoming presidential elections is ensuring that voters are given an informed choice, adding that popularity should be secondary.
For her part, Brosas said the next leader of the country must be able to demonstrate a leadership to respond to the more vital and immediate needs of the country.
“Ang dapat na lider ay hindi iyong maraming itinatago, hindi transparent at umiiwas sa accountability. (A true leader is one who has not much to hide, not transparent and escapes accountability),” the partylist solon said.
For his part, Cabatbat revealed that the candidates who can assure the country’s farmers of a better treatment and fairer deal in governance will win the support of their partylist organization.
Earlier, majority bloc leaders have expressed support for a Duterte-Duterte team up in 2022.
“It's not a question of why, but rather it is a question of why not,” stated Deputy Speaker and 1Abono Partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella.
Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Deogracias Savellano said that based on their performance record, Mayor Duterte and incumbent President Duterte should continue to lead the country when the latter steps down as chief executive.