The rigodon in Philippine politics was expected, Vice Presidential aspirant Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ N. Pangilinan on Saturday, Nov. 13 said.
Pangilinan of the Leni Robredo-Kiko Panglinan presidential tandem, was referring to the withdrawal of Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa as the presidential candidate of the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban (Cusi wing) party.
The deadline for substitution is on Monday, Nov. 15.
On Saturday afternoon, vice presidential aspirant Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go was escorted by President Duterte to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Manila to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the presidency, substituting dela Rosa.
On the same day, presidential daughter Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte filed her COC as vice presidential candidate.
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) announced it had adopted Sara as its vice presidential candidate, and endorsed her as the running mate of former senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Earlier, the PDP-Laban Cusi wing endorsed a Go-President Duterte presidential and vice presidential tandem, but Go refused the endorsement.
After President Duterte turned down his endorsement as a vice presidential candidate as he said he was keen on leaving politics after his term, Go filed his COC as vice president.
In his statement, Pangilinan said: ‘’Inaasahan na po namin ang mga rigodon de tsubibo na ganyan (We expected this rigodon).’’ ‘’Sumama po kami ni VP Leni sa halalang ito, dala ang matibay na paniwalang tanging si VP Leni ang pinaka nararapat sa pagkapangulo, lalo na’t tayo’y nasa gitna ng giyera laban sa sakit, gutom, at kawalang-trabaho (I and Leni joined the race with the belief Vice President Leni Robredo is the rightful candidate for the presidency, now that we are in the fight against sickness, hunger and joblessness),’’ he explained.
‘’Kaya kahit sino pa po ang sumali sa karera, tuloy lang po kami sa paghahanda para sa darating na kampanya (We are ready for the national elections whoever is in the race),’’ he added.