Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. backed calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in next year’s elections.
In its report, the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) said Defensor was among the governors who signed a collective statement supporting the resolution issued by the ruling Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) urging Duterte to seek the vice-presidency in the 2022 polls.
The governors, in their statement, said they wanted the next president to be guided by Duterte, particularly the fight against COVID-19 and war on drugs.
“We want the President to seek the vice presidency so he could help his successor oversee the implementation of COVID-19 pandemic response programs his administration is carrying out to keep Filipinos from dying of the highly contagious new coronavirus and the illness it is causing,” the statement read.
“His war on drugs has made urban areas and rural communities more peaceful to live in and more conducive to economic activities. Just ask the people in our provinces,” it further read.
Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Contreras also signed the statement, which was presented during the national assembly of the PDP-Laban at Royce Hotel in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga last Saturday, July 17, 2021.
In his message, Duterte said his possible vice presidential win next year will protect him from lawsuits
“Tinatakot, mademanda raw ako. Eh sabi ng batas, pag Presidente ka o Bise Presidente, may immunity ka. Eh di tatakbo na lang ako na Bise Presidente. Then after that, tatakbo ako ng Bise Presidente, then after that, tatakbo akong Bise Presidente.”IMT
