If Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go do not run for president in the 2022 elections, President Rodrigo Duterte will choose to support either Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and Senator Bongbong Marcos.
This was announced by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque at a gathering held online by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporate, where the official was the guest.
In a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Roque said Duterte will buy the aforementioned three names in case Mayor Sara and even his close aid Go do not run for president.
“In the end, kapag hindi tumakbo si Sara, hindi tumakbo si Bong Go, because he will only run for president if the president will run for vice president, the president will have to choose who has the number,” said Roque.
“He will have to choose from Isko, Manny Pacquiao, and Bong Bong Marcos kasi wala naman nang iba,” he added.
Sara had previously said that she would not run for president in 2022 despite the persuasions of some supporters.
Duterte to choose among Moreno, Pacquiao, Bong Bong Marcos as presidential bet
Go said he will only run for president if the President is his running-mate as vice president.
He said Duterte’s blessing on those who will run for president is a big thing because of his high approval rating.
“Magbabago lang siguro ang isip ko kung tatakbong Vice President si Pangulong Duterte,” Go, Duterte’s most trusted aide for years, said last month.
(I may change my mind if President Rodrigo Duterte will run for vice president.)
“The presidential endorsement will be formidable. Not only that, it’s not just the endorsement, it’s the machinery of government that will be working for the anointed candidate of the president,” Roque explained.
The secretary also said he was not sure if he was a candidate in the upcoming elections.
“When you want to serve, you need to have the resources. So ako po, talagang hindi pa sigurado rin kasi nga it really depends if I have the resources,” he explained.