Feuding clans for Duterte

DAVAO CITY—Feuding political clans in Bukidnon, Zamboanga and other parts of Mindanao are setting aside their differences and agreed to rally behind a bid to convince Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for president in 2016.

Support for the tough-talking mayor has been growing, a statement from Duterte’s camp said.

In Bukidnon for example, political opponents joined Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri in pushing for Duterte as a presidential candidate.

“What is happening in Bukidnon will happen in the rest of Mindanao and the southern islands should he declare that he will run for president,” Zubiri was quoted as saying in the Duterte camp statement.

In Zamboanga del Norte, the feuding political groups of former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos and incumbent Gov. Berto Uy also joined in welcoming Duterte during a visit there in March.

The Duterte camp also claimed that in other areas, opposing political groups are “now arranging a modus vivendi to be able to throw their full support to the Davao City mayor.”

Political analysts said they believe that Mindanao and the southern islands will go full force for a Duterte candidacy because of his “politically correct and practical solutions to the problems confronting the South.” Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao