Marcos endorsement slammed

THE PDP-LABAN has strongly criticized the endorsement of Bongbong Marcos, son and namesake of Dictator Ferdinand Marcos, as its presidential bet in the May election, saying the breakaway faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and his cohorts are total strangers to the political party that fought the authoritarian rule of Marcos.

“With this latest action from Sec Cusi and his cohorts, they have manifested that they are total strangers to PDP LABAN. They don’t even acknowledge that PDP LABAN was established to oppose the Marcos dictatorship. Time for Comelec to dismiss the petition of these usurpers! In Germany for example, a political party formed to oppose Adolf Hitler will definitely not support an Adolf Hitler Jr. Logic lang yan. Consistent with the PDP LABAN history, struggles, deaths, and party constitution!” said Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, the PDP-Laban national chairman. 

PDP-LABAN’s presidential candidate is Senator Manny Pacquiao. 

Marcos’s son, whose running mate is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is also seeking the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Acting Presidential Spokesman Martin Andanar said Duterte remains an influential political figure whose endorsement is sought by the current presidential aspirants.

“Even Vice President Leni Robredo is open to the endorsement of the President. Senator Bongbong Marcos is also asking for the endorsement of the President. Kanina si Ka-Leody nakausap ko at siya naman ay bukas naman pag siya ay ini-endorse ni Presidente Duterte,” he said.

Andanar said seeking Duterte’s endorsement is a clear acknowledgment that the president has done a very good job, adding Duterte defied the traditional path of Filipino leaders who become lame ducks before they bow out of office.

“What is important to us is that our President remains very relevant. Our President is not following the footsteps or the path of the tradition that the President becomes lame duck or when the President’s endorsement becomes a kiss of death,” he said.

Duterte earlier said that he would remain neutral in the May 2022 elections unless there is a compelling reason to change his decision, but recently said that he prefers a lawyer as the next president. (Mindanao Examiner)