MANILA, Philippines — Aksyon Demokratiko, the party of presidential candidate Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, is not courting President Rodrigo Duterte’s support for their standard bearer, its chairman said Monday.
“To be honest, we are not positively courting the support. Ang tingin namin, kung bibigyan kami ng boto ni President Duterte, that’s—kumbaga bonus na ‘yun,” party chair Ernest Ramel said on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart when asked about getting Duterte’s support.
(For us, if President Duterte gives us his vote, that would already be a bonus.)
“Maraming salamat po, President Duterte kung boboto niyo po si Mayor Isko, among others, even ‘yung mga nasa PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan),” he added.
(Thank you very much, President Duterte, if you will vote for Mayor Isko, among others, even those who are in PDP-Laban.)
Moreno earlier said that he is seeking the endorsement of PDP-Laban, the party of Duterte.
READ: PDP-Laban still trying to reach consensus on 2022 presidential bet
The mayor has also received the endorsement of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee, a Duterte volunteer group.
READ: Isko Moreno gets endorsement of Duterte volunteer group
Meanwhile, Ramel said that talks are ongoing with One Cebu, the ruling political party in Cebu province.
READ: Sara Duterte on ‘One Cebu’ endorsement: Cebuanos have always been close to my heart
“Currently, patuloy ang pakikipag-usap. Pero sa akin, malinaw naman na the presence of Congressman PJ Garcia in our proclamation rally speaks well. Ibig sabihin may malaking window dahil andu’n ‘yung secretary general ng One Cebu,” he shared.
(Currently, discussions are still ongoing. But for me, it is clear that the presence of Congressman PJ Garcia in our proclamation rally speaks well. It means that there is a big window because the secretary general of One Cebu is there.)