Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12)— A faction within the ruling PDP-Laban party said Friday it is weighing all options for the 2022 elections, including the initial plan to field the tandem of Senator Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We continue to monitor the developments in the national political landscape and we are exploring all options as the dominant majority party, including our original plan of fielding a Go-Duterte tandem,” the group headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.
“In the meantime, we continue to consult PDP leaders in the provinces and cities so our ultimate decision will be reflective of the sentiments on the ground,” it added.
In September, the PDP-Laban wing nominated Go and Duterte as its standard bearers for the upcoming polls. At that time, the chief executive said he would push through with his vice presidential bid, while the senator maintained he would be declining the endorsement.
The party surprised the public a month later when Go filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president. He explained that he decided to “take on the challenge” after Duterte said he would be withdrawing from the 2022 race and would be retiring from politics.
PDP-Laban then fielded Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as its presidential bet. The neophyte senator, however, said he was willing to step aside if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte decides to run for the country’s highest post and would be adopted by the party.
Sara withdrew her candidacy for reelection in Davao City. She has yet to announce her plans for next year’s polls. On Thursday, the presidential daughter officially joined national party Lakas-CMD after resigning from her regional group Hugpong ng Pagbabago, where she was the founder and chairperson.
Ruling PDP-Laban party's Cusi faction says it is "exploring all options… including our original plan of fielding a GO-DUTERTE tandem."
The group earlier nominated Sen. Bong Go as presidential bet, but he slid down to VP when Pres. Duterte announced retirement | @eimorpsantos pic.twitter.com/vO87LW2deL
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) November 12, 2021
