The PDP-Laban (Cusi wing) has adopted Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.
The party made the announcement Friday, Jan. 21, after making a decision based on Duterte-Carpio's "credentials, advocacies and vision for our nation."
It added the party is now already finalizing its terms of alliance agreement with Lakas-CMD, a party chaired by the presidential daughter.
Meanwhile, the party remains without a presidential bet following the withdrawal of candidacy of Sen. Bong Go.
Duterte-Carpio is now running alongside aspiring president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) after forming a political alliance with him called "BBM-Sara UniTeam."
"Based on these, the PDP Laban has decided that the quality of her advocacies and vision are strongly aligned that of the party. The PDP Laban believes that the quality of her leadership and her track record in the performance of her duties in her current office make her most qualified for the position she is now aspiring for and therefore deservices the party's support," it said.
The Cusi-led wing said the presidential daughter's election to the vice presidency will help ensure the continuity of the vital program of the current administration, which his father, President Duterte, who is also the party chair, currently leads.
"These include the fight against criminality, corruption, terrorism and illegal drugs; and the 'Build, Build, Build' program and other programs which need to be sustained so that the Filipino people may continue to benefit from their gains," the party said.
The party said it is now launching its campaign for Duterte-Carpio as it also calls on its party members "to hold their ground, stand firm on the principles and ideals of the party and toe the party line."