Pimentel agrees Cabinet members should not endorse candidates

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to his Cabinet members to refrain from endorsing or campaigning for candidates in the May elections.

“Prerogative ng Presidente yan. Pamilya niya yan. That is his official family. All are his alter egos kung yan po ang instruction ng Presidente e sunod sila,” Pimentel told local radio station DWIZ on Saturday.

Duterte asked his Cabinet members on Friday to never endorse or campaign for any candidates. He also noted that no candidate must be allowed to use state resources during the campaign period.

“The Cabinet members , sinabi ko sa kanila though the law allows you to campaign just like the President, but I would insist na huwag kayo mangialam because not only would they bring so many issues with them, pati na sabihin na ginamit ‘yung gasolina, ginamit ‘yung sasakyan ng gobyerno, ‘yung eroplano,” Duterte said in a speech.

READ: Cabinet members told to keep off campaign trail

Pimentel explained that Cabinet members must not endorse candidates to avoid accusations of using government resources for campaign trail of the candidates.

“Para po wala nang masabi, wala nang mag-akusa na ginagamit ang government resources. Kasi yun ang number one ni President Duterte — ayaw niyang sabihin na ginagamit ang government resources,” he said. /jpv