PDP-Laban eyes Duterte as standard-bearer in 2016 polls

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTO

The PDP-Laban will field Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as its standard-bearer, once the latter decides to run for president in 2016.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said many members of the 10,000-strong party want Duterte to be its standard-bearer and are trying to convince him to throw his hat into the ring.

“The party is willing to support him, if he should decide to run for President,” Pimentel said, adding that he has no confirmation yet of Duterte’s plans.

Duterte has to desire the post himself and should be committed to the race, said Pimentel.

“Running for public office must be the voluntary act of the person and he must be fully committed to it. So let’s wait for the decision of Mayor Duterte,” he said over the phone.

“Actually, the party and its members are all excited and awaiting his decision, his personal decision, if he will run or not,” he added.

The tough-talking Duterte, whose survey rankings have improved and placed him third among the potential presidents, would be a good leader because of his “political will and vision, plus, love for country,” the senator said.

He also thinks Duterte’s good initial showing in the survey reflects some sort of desperation with the “seeming chaotic or disordered situation” in the country, as well as the crime surge. It could have to do with people’s feeling about personal security, especially with Duterte being the person responsible for the peace and order in Davao City.

But the party would also have to address issues hanging over Duterte’s head, such as his alleged links to the Davao Death Squad, a group tagged in the vigilante-style killings of suspected criminals.

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