At least 41 governors on Friday issued a resolution supporting the vice presidential candidacy of President Rodrigo Duterte, even as the Chief Executive is still unsure of his plans for 2022.
The governors said that as vice president, Duterte could influence his successor to pursue his war on drugs, his “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure plan, projects for the poor, and his post-COVID pandemic economic recovery roadmap.
“We laud and support President Duterte’s decision to accept the offer of the administration PDP-Laban party to run for Vice President in next year’s elections,” they said in the resolution.
The group represents half of the 81 provinces in the country.
They added that despite the inroads made by the Duterte administration in the campaign against illegal drugs, the drug menace continues to persist.
“Indeed, this problem is no longer confined to urban areas; it has spread to the countryside. The next administration, with the help of President Duterte, should relentlessly pursue the war on drugs,” they noted.
“We hope and pray that the next President, and President Duterte as his Vice President, could work together in making life better for our people,” the governors said.
Signing the resolution were governors Jose Alvarez of Palawan, Dale Corvera of Agusan Norte; Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte; Humerlito Dolor of Oriental Mindoro; Sakur Tan of Sulu; Dakila Cua of Quirino; Nancy Catamco of Cotabato; Art Yap of Bohol; Edgardo Tallado of Camarines Norte;
Wilter Palma of Zamboanga Sibugay; Francisco Matugas of Surigao Norte; Jim Hataman-Salliman of Basilan; Reynolds Michael Tan of Samar; Esteban Contreras of Capiz; Edwin Ong of Northern Samar; Dominic Petilla of Leyte; Roger Espina of Biliran; Antonio Kho of Masbate; Imelda Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte;
Vic Yu of Zamboanga del Sur; Philip Tan of Misamis Occidental; Ayik Pimentel of Surigao del Sur; Jecoy Villa of Siquijor; Pacoy Ortega of La Union; Joel Degamo of Negros Oriental; Joseph Cua of Catanduanes; Eduardo Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro; Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras; Steve Solon of Sarangani;
Jun Ebdane of Zambales; Migs Villafuerte of Camarines Sur; Bai Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao; Suharto Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat; Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras; Joe Riano of Romblon; Rodora Cadiao of Antique; Al Francis Bichara of Albay; Bonifacio Lacwasan of Mountain Province; Florencio Miraflores of Aklan; and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar.
Two days after announcing that he is accepting the PDP-Laban nomination for him to run as vice president next year, and hours after presidential spokesman Harry Roque said “things are clear now,” Duterte clarified Thursday he is a step closer toward making a decision, but nothing is cast in stone.
Duterte said two more reports from chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on endorsements from local officials clamoring for him to run for vice president might seal the deal.
Despite keeping his options open, Duterte said whatever decision he will make will be for the interest of the Filipino people.
“The Filipino nation can be very sure that whatever statement that I will give, it will always be for the benefit and interest of the country. I have no personal interest there except to serve,” the President said.
Earlier, Roque said Duterte would run for vice president next year as he had “unfinished business” after six years in the country’s most powerful position.
But during the same address to the nation, Duterte said he and his close aide, Senator Christopher Go – the projected presidential bet of one faction of the ruling party — could drop out of the race in favor of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Roque also claimed Duterte will ditch a 2022 vice presidential run if House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez will run for the same post, as what the President had promised to the lawmaker in June last year.