No running mate, no problem.
A hopeful Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila despite the lack of a confirmed running mate.
“For the love of our Lord God and for the love of our country, so that those who are hopeless can hope again, and those who don’t have faith can have faith in the government, I take this leap of faith and run for vice president of this country,” Cayetano told reporters after filing his COC.
Cayetano has repeatedly expressed his intention to run with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, but the latter has yet to show up at the Comelec main office as of writing. It was revealed on Thursday that an aide of Duterte filed his COC for re-election as mayor. However, reports said Duterte was on his way to Manila via private plane after his daughter, Sara Duterte, filed her own COC for mayor.
READ: Alan Cayetano: I am running for vice president | Let’s pray Duterte will change his mind – Cayetano
Cayetano reiterated his “100 percent” support for the possible presidential bid of Duterte, whether or not he will be his running mate.
In spite of the presence of qualified aspirants, Cayetano said only Duterte can enforce “true change” in the Philippines.
“To all of you who will participate in this elections, be calm. Change is coming,” Cayetano said. “’Pag si Duterte po ang naging pangulo natin, ang pagbabago nandiyan na ‘yan (If Duterte becomes president, change is going to come).”
The senator said “it’s about time” to redefine the role of the vice president, which is being regarded as a spare tire in government and substitute to the president.
“The vice president can be a drumbeater, an agenda setter, a person in the Cabinet na i-push ang agenda ng tao at itulak ang pagbabago (who pushes for change and the agenda of the people),” he said.
The ruling Liberal Party also reportedly eyed Cayetano as the running-mate of its standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. IDL
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