‘Duterte for VP’ train won’t stop despite Pacquiao warning, says PDP-Laban exec

MANILA, Philippines — The call for President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 national elections “will not stop” despite warnings from top leaders of the ruling PDP-Laban party for its members to refrain from talking politics for now,  a party official said on Tuesday.

PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary General Melvin Matibag made the remark after Senator Manny Pacquiao, the party’s acting president, to halt such initiative, saying now is not the time for politics.

Asked if Pacquiao’s remark will stop the call for a Duterte vice presidency, Matibag said: “I think it will not stop kasi ang clamor nandoon na eh.”

“I respect our acting president Senator Manny Pacquiao. But mayroon kaming mga pinaniniwalaang principle sa PDP kagaya nung consultative and participatory democracy. So how can we stop ‘yung members namin who want to sign it?” Matibag said.

In fact, the resolution is gaining traction, said Matibag.

“The resolution is staying alive on its own. Talagang kumalat na siya,” Matibag said.

“In fact, lumalabas dito na instead na nadi-divide ‘yung party, it’s being shown that it’s actually President Duterte as the chairman of the party (who) is the single person who can unify the party,” he added.

Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez said a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president is being passed among members of the party.

EDV