Duterte view of Salceda unchanged even if gov now supports Poe

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/NOY MORCOSO

“It’s okay,” so said presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte after Albay Governor Joey Salceda backed the presidential run of his rival Sen. Grace Poe.

On Friday, Salceda, ended all speculations on his political plans after he confirmed that he was withdrawing his support for Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to back Poe instead.

“She shares our values of authentic humanism, shares our goals of countryside development and national competitiveness and certainly her compassion will ensure that the impact will be shared by all,” Salceda said.

READ: Albay governor drops Mar, embraces Grace

Prior to supporting Grace Poe’s candidacy, Salceda was a stalwart of the ruling Liberal Party, being one of its provincial chairs.

During a campaign sortie in Legazpi City on March, Duterte said he would appoint Salceda as secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) if he wins the presidency.

Asked whether he would still appoint Salceda as Neda chief after announcing his support for Poe, Duterte, who previously said that Salceda is a “friend,” said it’s not about political parties.

READ: Neda post awaits Salceda if Duterte wins presidency

“Oo. May talent naman ‘yun (Yes. He has the talent),” he said after his speech at a campaign sortie in Pandacan on Saturday morning.

Less than three weeks before Election Day, Duterte continues to enjoy solo lead in recent surveys, with Mindanao as his stronghold. IDL