The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the ruling political party will support the presidential candidate who would adhere to and continue President Duterte’s legacy and “agenda of change.”

Cusi, PDP-Laban president, said the presidential candidate “who will heed the clamor of the people for the continuity of Duterte’s agenda of change will get our support."

"Let’s make this an issue-based elections, not personality-based,” Cusi said in a statement on Tuesday, February 8, the day the campaign period for national candidates in the May 2022 election kicks off.

“Being a major institution that adapts and responds to the challenges of the rapidly changing times, PDP Laban has decided to endorse the Presidential candidate who vows to continue the President’s reform agenda,” Cusi added.

The Duterte-led PDP-Laban earlier unveiled its 11-point Agenda for Continuity which seeks to pursue the continuation of the administration’s fight against corruption; eradication of poverty; advancement of peace and order; ending the pandemic; defeating communist terrorism in the country; sustaining economic growth; generation of jobs; strengthening national defense and foreign relations; educational reforms; decentralization and local government empowerment and Charter change and Federalism.

But Duterte’s camp, however, did not name a specific presidential candidate that the party will endorse.

Last January 21, the administration faction adopted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate for the upcoming May elections, leaving out her running mate former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

Cusi said that in order to stay true and committed to their 11-point agenda, the PDP-Laban will veer away from “personality-based politics” which have reduced many political organizations to irrelevancy in the past.

“What the country needs now, especially during this time of a pandemic is a presidential candidate who will continue the ‘tapang at malasakit’ brand of leadership of President Duterte that the people want,” he said.

According to Cusi, no other administration, but President Duterte’s has given so much hope and empowerment to the nation “especially to the poorest of the poor, neglected, minority, indigenous people and of course, to our next generation.”

Duterte is also able to maintain a “very good” net satisfaction rating of +60 in the last few months in office, based on the latest Social Weather Station’s (SWS) survey of December 2021.

“This administration has given them the power to be recognized, to be educated, to be sheltered and to live more peaceful and secure lives. The President inspired the nation to believe once again in the possibility of 'Pagbabago’ (change),” he stressed.