The counsel of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the family of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos will be sought by House Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD president Martin Romualdez in helping him reach a decision on whether or not to gun for the vice presidency next year.
Romualdez said in a television interview on Monday, June 28 that he will definitely consult with the family of his aunt, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, before making a final decision on the prospects of running for vice president following an endorsement from President Rodrigo Duterte recently.
“I am communicating with them. I will definitely consult my relatives particularly those vying for the same position,” he told an interview on ANC.
Romualdez, who represents the First District of Leyte, stressed that part of the consultation with the Marcos family is to ensure that they will not be in conflict in their respective political bids.
It was reported that his first cousin, former Senator Ferdinand E. Marcos, is eyeing either of the two top national positions for the 2022 presidential elections.
“It wouldn’t be a good idea,” Romualdez when asked if is willing to run even against the only son of the late president.
“We always consult with each other so that we won’t have any conflicts and we can make adjustments,” he stressed.
President Duterte has declared he would decline PDP-Laban’s endorsement to run for vice president should Romualdez decide to run for the same position.
The chief executive, Romualdez said, reiterated this during a recent meeting they had at Malacanang Palace.
With three months to go before the start of the filing of candidacy for national positions, Romualdez said he has not yet made up his mind on Duterte’s overtures.
He said one primary consideration in reaching any decision for 2022 is the “landscape of presidentiables” who will actually run.
According to him Lakas-CMD has given him overwhelming support as a vice presidential bet and that the possibility of him teaming up with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who is being prodded to run for president, is welcome to the party.
Former president Arroyo, Romauldez said, is also “very, very supportive” of a vice presidential run for him.
“When it comes to making the decision, I will definitely consult her,” said Romualdez, referring to his predecessor in the party.
Arroyo had stated that the Leyte solon is qualified to become the second highest officials in the land.