The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has named Manila 1st District Representative Manuel Luis Lopez as its candidate for mayor for the Philippines' capital in next year's election.
PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag on Thursday night disclosed that the political party led by President Duterte is nominating Lopez as their official bet for the mayoral race in Manila.
"Lopez has been named as PDP Laban’s official candidate for mayor in Manila with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, who is also PDP Laban chairman, proclaiming the lawmaker’s run for Manila’s mayoralty race," Matibag said in a statement.
In the photo they released, Duterte, is seen raising the hand of Lopez.
Lopez won as representative of Manila's first legislative district in 2019. His opponent, former lawmaker Benjamin Asilo, filed an electoral protest against him but the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), in 2020, upheld his victory.
Earlier, the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi announced its initial list of senatorial candidates for the 2022 polls. It is also pushing the tandem of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go and the Duterte as their presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively.
Go has turned down the offer, but the group insisted that he run for president.