The Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) allied with the Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi wing has proclaimed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte as the party’s official president and vice presidential candidate in the upcoming May 2022 national elections.
The party formally announced the Go-Duterte tandem during the party’s National Convention that was held in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Cusi’s group also named eight government officials as its official senatorial candidates in the next year’s polls.
They are Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Secretary Salvador Panelo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Secretary Harry Roque, Jr., Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Chairman Greco Belgica of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and Deputy Speaker and SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
Bello, Panelo, Tugade, Torres-Gomez are all members of the PDP-Laban, while Roque, Villar, Belgica and Marcoleta are guest candidates of the party.
In his speech at the convention, Duterte said he accepts the party nomination with the goal of continuing his programs against criminality, particularly on illegal drugs.
Duterte also said he is ready to provide supporting role to the PDP-Laban’s presidential candidate.
Go, on the other hand, in his video message, thanked his partymates for the nomination but insisted he is not interested to run for president in the upcoming elections.
“I have already respectfully declined your endorsement through a letter I sent last week. I am hoping that the party will continue to respect my decision,” Go said.
The senator said he will continue to support the party and urged them to prioritize other personalities who are interested to run for president.
“Having said these, again, I leave my fate to God, to the Dutertes, and to the Filipino people — to whom I owe this privilege of being able to be of service to our country,” Go said.