A FACTION of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Wednesday formally declared Sen. Bong Go and President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte as their presidential and vice presidential candidates while Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III launched their tandem for the 2022 presidential polls.

The group of Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi nominated the Go-Duterte tandem during the party’s national convention held in Pampanga where President Duterte accepted the challenged while Go asked his party mates to instead look for a presidential bet who can continue the legacy of the Chief Executive.

The other PDP-Laban faction is led by Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquio and Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

In his speech during the event late Wednesday afternoon, Duterte said he is motivated to continue his service for the people because of his love for the country and intention to maintain his advocacy in the fight against illegal drugs and insurgency.

“I am hopeful that this will allow me to continue serving the Filipino people and lead the entire nation towards greater progress,” President Duterte said.

“Alam mo kung bakit ako tatakbo ng vice presidency? Is it ambition? Maybe. But is it really a sense of love of country? Yes. Is it really because I want to see the continuity of my efforts even though I may not be the one giving the direction. Baka makatulong lang ako,” Duterte stressed.

“I want to see the continuity of the efforts even though I may not be the one giving the direction,” Duterte said. “Baka makatulong lang ako.”

Go said he hopes the PDP-Laban “will continue to respect my decision” after politely declined the nomination.

“Unahin niyo na lang po ang may gusto,” Go said. “Inuulit ko, hindi po ako interesadong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na halalan. Nakatutok po ang buong puso at isipan ko sa pagseserbisyo sa aking kapwa at wala po akong hangarin na makipagkumpitensya sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa.”

“For someone from the province and a simple employee whom you made a senator, it is a great honor to be considered for the presidency,” Go said. “Ang importante ay haanapan natin ng katimbang si Pangulong Duterte upang maipagpatuloy ang pagbabago.”

In defending the nomination, Cusi said they want continuity of the administration’s programs thru the Go-Duterte tandem as the group proclaimed eight politicians as their official senatorial candidates.The PDP-Laban members who were declared as possible senatorial candidates include Labor Sec. Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

Also named as senatorial candidates are Public Works Sec. Mark Villar, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Deputy Speaker and 1-Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Greco Belgica who are non-PDP-Laban members.

LACSON-SOTTO

Lacson and Sotto, the first tandem for presidential and vice presidential race who made public their bid before late morning of Wednesday, vowed to restore people’s trust in the government, fight corruption and lead the country to recovery.

“Mayroon kaming sapat na kakayahan, katapatan, at katapangan upang pamunuan ang ating bansa at upang muling bumangon sa ating pagkakalugmok,” Lacson stressed in the historic first taped campaign launch for the positions of president and vice president aired over various television stations and online channels.

“Kailangan natin ng lider na ang tama ay ipaglalaban at ang mali ay lalabanan. Kaya naman magiging una sa ating prayoridad ang mas maigting na pagtugon sa pandemya. Marapat lamang na punan ang mga kakulangan at ituwid ang mga kamalian,” Lacson said.

“Hindi natin dapat payagan ang maling akala para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” Lacson said.

“Ang tamang pamumuno ay dapat pangunahan ng leadership by example, hindi sa salita kundi sa gawa. No leader can succeed if he cannot practice what he preaches,” Lacson explained.

“Ako po ay humaharap sa inyo upang hingiin ang inyong tiwala. Tiwala na babangon muli ang bansa. Tiwala na magkakaroon muli ng pag-asa. Ang inyong matibay na paniniwala na, sama-sama ay kakayanin nating maipanumbalik ang tiwala natin sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas,” Sotto for his part said.

“Kailangan na nating umaksyon. Kailangan na natin magsanib puwersa upang mapigilan at maitama ang mali. Ito na ang simula,” Sotto said.

Lacson, an independent senator, and Sotto, a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), were endorsed by former Defense Sec. Renato de Villa of the Reporma Party and former Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.