Cebu execs urge Duterte to run for VP in 2022 polls

CEBU CITY –– At least 28 Cebu officials have signed a manifesto urging President Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 elections.

In a private meeting held Wednesday, March 10, the officials said they wanted continuity of “President Duterte’s socio-economic agenda.”

The 28 officials who signed the manifesto include two congressmen, 18 mayors, three vice mayors, three provincial board members, and two water district board of directors.

In the meeting were Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, vice chairman of PDP-Laban; and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.

Cebu has 47 mayors from its 38 municipalities, six component cities, and three independent cities.

In a press release sent to reporters Thursday, Cusi said some PDP-Laban mayors in Metro Manila passed a similar resolution urging Duterte to run as VP in the upcoming polls.

“Cebu officials are adopting this resolution,” Cusi said in a statement. “We are calling on members of the PDP to be proactive.

“With the impending transition of power in 2022, we further commit to support a transition of leadership that will guarantee continuity of President Duterte’s socioeconomic agenda,” the manifesto read.

The ruling party also noted that since 2016, the government, under the able leadership of party chairman, President Duterte, has made “great strides in its battle against the scourge of drugs, terrorism, insurgency, corruption, and poverty.”

“Therefore, we the undersigned leaders and members of the PDP hereby resolved to convince our party chairman, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to represent PDP as its vice-presidential candidate in the national elections in 2022,” the resolution stated.

Secretary Dino in the same press release said they would give the President the “freedom and free will” to choose his running mate in the coming elections.

“What I know he wants Senator Bong Go to run for president. Whoever is his choice, we will support the President. We will fully support his choice and the tandem,” Dino said.

The 18 mayors who signed the manifesto include Terence Blanco of Ronda, Paz Rozgoni of Moalboal, Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho of Cordova, Jose Antonio Pintor of Asturias, Sun Shimura of Daanbantayan, Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City, Dean Michael Singco of Ginatilan, Lionel Bacaltos of Sibonga, Elanito Pena of Minglanilla, Lakambini Reluya of San Fernando, Lito Narciso Creus of Malabuyoc, Joannes Alegado of Consolacion, Kristine Chiong of Naga City, Mercedita Apura of Carcar City, Joven Mondigo of Medellin, Siegfried Duterte of Tabogon, Fritz Lastimoso of Alcantara, and Gerald Anthony Gullas of Talisay City.

The two lawmakers who signed the manifesto are Cebu 6th District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon and Cebu 4th district Rep. Janice Salimbangon.

The provincial board members who signed the manifesto include Jerome Librando, Glenn Soco, Thadeo Jovito Ouano,

The three vice mayors who signed are Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Celsi Sitoy, Consolacion Vice Mayor Teresa Alegado, and, Vice Mayor Rex Gerona of Tabuelan.

Also among the signatories are Metro Cebu Water District board of directors Joey Daluz, and Mike Pato.

LZB