THE Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has endorsed the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
In Resolution 26 series of 2022 signed by Cusi on March 21, the faction said Marcos received "most endorsements" from several local councils of the PDP-Laban from different provinces nationwide.
"Senator Bongbong Marcos is the candidate whose platform is most aligned with the development program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," read the resolution.
"He is the candidate whose vision of governance is most aligned with PDP-Laban's 11-point agenda," it added.
The PDP-Laban chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte said it aims to promote "unity for sustainability" of socio-economic development and national progress.
The party earlier said the 11-point agenda is based on Duterte's legacy programs, such as the fight against corruption, poverty, peace and order, ending the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, communism and insurgency, economic growth, generation of jobs, national defense and foreign relations, educational reforms, decentralization and empowerment of the local government units and charter change and federalism.
In December 2021, the party expressed support to Marcos's running mate, Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In a statement, Marcos's camp welcomed the PDP-Laban's endorsement.
"The trust it placed in him inspires us beyond measure, for it signals that our message of national unity is gaining ground," lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos's spokesperson, said in a statement.
"We are glad the PDP-Laban has joined the bandwagon of support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam of major political rallies in the country. It is truly reassuring, but at the same time challenging us to be even more prepared and vigilant in light of growing rumors of possible poll fraud in the coming elections," Rodriguez added. (VoxPop Philippines)