Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A spokesman of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte confirmed on Wednesday (September 2), the mayor met with members of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) last week.
Peter Tiu-Laviña, Duterte’s spokesman, said the meeting was geared towards a possible alliance between NP and PDP-Laban to support Duterte should he run for president.
Laviña said the mayor has asked both parties to give him more time to decide.
PDP-Laban has always been open to the idea of endorsing Duterte as its bet for 2016 presidential elections.
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But as far as Nacionalista is concerned, there is no team-up with PDP-Laban yet.
According to Sen. Cynthia Villar of NP, they were invited by PDP-Laban to join the meeting. Villar said NP regularly meets with PDP-Laban to discuss different issues.
During the meeting, Duterte was asked about his views on peace and order, justice and problems in the country, Villar told reporters.
“Ang masasabi ko, he knows the problem. Kasi alam mo, matagal na rin siya sa local government. Alam na alam niya ang problema when it comes to the justice system of the Philippines, very familiar,” said Villar.
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Sen. Villar admitted though that NP chairman Manny Villar has also met with possible presidential candidates like Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe.
But the senator, however, said that Duterte is a possible bet of NP.
“Wala namang naka-schedule na further talks. Remember, we are big investors in Davao City kaya okay naman si Mayor Duterte sa amin kasi sinusuportahan niya naman ang mga investors sa Davao City. Davao City is a good city to invest in,” Villar said.
CNN Philippines’ Anna Estanislao contributed to this report.
