PDP-Laban President and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Friday, Jan. 21 that the party is not yet convinced with presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to become its bet for the upcoming elections despite being the running mate of its vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Unlike picking Duterte-Carpio, which is "an easy task to decide," Cusi told reporters the party still needs to be convinced why Marcos Jr., or any other presidential candidate, should be its bet.
Cusi's pronouncement came in response to question why PDP-Laban could not easily endorse Marcos Jr., which is apparently a strong tandem based on recent surveys.
"Kasi kung kumbinsido na tayo kung talagang ganon na yan, bakit hindi diba? (Because if we're already convinced to support his presidency, then why not?)" the party president said in an press conference.
"If you have arguments that can convince the party to support any candidate, let us know," he added.
Cusi said PDP-Laban is open to endorse any candidate because they "don't discriminate."
What's important for the party, he added, is the presidential candidate's "credibility" as well as what he or she does.
"Kasi syempre sa politiko, lahat, pati langit, pati impyerno ipapangako natin pero...ano ba talaga gagawin natin? (In politics, you'll promise everything, even heaven and hell. But what we will really do?)" Cusi said.
On Friday, the Cusi-led wing of PDP Laban announced the adoption of Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of its party leader President Duterte, as its vice presidential bet.
Cusi said they have no reason why they made the announcement just now or after some time since Duterte-Carpio filed for candidacy as it is more on "divine guidance."