MANILA, Philippines – Rodrigo Duterte dispelled rumors that he might take on another vice-presidential running mate depending on political party PDP-Laban’s decision.
Asked who his running mate would be on the sidelines of a November 29 concert in Taguig, he said, “Alan Peter Cayetano. Committed na ako. Isang salita lang ako. (I am committed. I stick to one word.)”
Duterte is running for president under PDP-Laban. The party has given him his blessing to take the slot of their previous presidential bid who later on withdrew his candidacy.
But they have yet to greenlight Cayetano as Duterte’s running mate.
“Saka na ang vice president (Let's see later who is the vice presidential candidate). Step by step,” said party president Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III last Friday, November 27.
Duterte had previously said he would have to consult the party first about Cayetano.
But on Sunday, the Davao City mayor said that his choice of Cayetano is final.
“They will have to accept my choice. That is the prerogative of the candidate. Usually, it is we who choose our running mate,” he told reporters.
Duterte filed his candidacy for president through a representative last Friday. Comelec is expected to announce the final list of who can run for president in 2016. (READ: #AnimatED: The candidacy of Rodrigo Duterte)
But questions remain whether an error in the Certificate of Candidacy of PDP-Laban’s initial presidential bet, Martin Diño, will endanger Duterte’s candidacy. A petition to nullify Diño’s candidacy – and thus make Duterte’s substitution void – has been filed with the Comelec. (READ: EXPLAINER: Can Duterte run for president?)
Despite this, PDP-Laban is set to declare Duterte as their presidential candidate on Monday, November 30.
Cayetano has been invited to the declaration, according to the senator’s staff. – Rappler.com