The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party has yet to finalize a presidential tandem that will be fielded in the 2022 elections.
According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, President Duterte and Senator Christopher Go have not made any decision yet on whether they will join the next year's polls. The tandem of Go and Duterte for the 2022 polls was reportedly endorsed by a faction of the administration party.
"First things first. Doon muna kami sa number one at number two kasi hanggang ngayon wala pang definite decision si Pangulo kung tatakbo ba siya at because of that, wala pa rin definite decision si Bong Go, si Senator Bong Go kung tatakbo rin ba siya at what position (We're focused on number one and number two because up to now, the President has no definite decision if he will run and because of that, Senator Bong Go also has no decision if he will run and what position)," Nograles said during a virtual forum organized by Anvil Business Club Tuesday, August 10.
Nograles, a member of the ruling party, said the PDP-Laban was focused on choosing its presidential tandem before selecting candidates for its Senate slate. The former Davao lawmaker is rumored to run for senator in next year's polls but has remained mum about his political plan.
"I'm a member of PDP-Laban so may proseso naman sa (so there's a process in) PDP-Laban but right now I think my party, which incidentally is also the party of President Duterte, is still concentrating on, concentrating muna kung sinong patakbuhin namin president at vice president. Saka na 'yung Senate slate (on who will we choose to run for president and vice president. The Senate slate will come after)," he said.
Duterte will end his six-year term next year and is not eligible for reelection. His political allies however have asked him to run for vice president. Duterte had said he was seriously thinking about seeking the vice presidency to elude criminal prosecution.
Go, on the other hand, is reluctant to run for the country's highest government post.