DAVAO CITY?Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is firm in his support for the vice presidential bid of Sen. Mar Roxas, an aide said Friday.

?Yes, Mar for VP (vice president),? Lawrence Go, Duterte?s executive assistant, said in a text message.

Duterte personally welcomed Roxas here on Wednesday and even allowed the senator to drive his pickup truck around the city.

During a gathering of supporters, Duterte was overheard saying: ?Kani atong bise presidente (He is our vice president).?

He then went on to say that Roxas is ?limpyo,? meaning he had not been embroiled in corruption scandals.

Duterte is regarded as one of the influential politicians of Southern Mindanao, which is composed of the Davao provinces and Compostela Valley.

In Davao del Norte, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario also endorsed the bid of Roxas and the candidacy of Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

Del Rosario was a Lakas stalwart in Davao del Norte. Jeffrey Tupas and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao