VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio on Monday endorsed senatorial candidates aligned with the ruling party during her father’s presidency, along with two candidates from outside the party, amid the widening rift between two of the country’s most influential dynasties.
Ms. Duterte endorsed ten senatorial candidates from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) slate and included Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar, citing her vision of a “prosperous Philippines” behind the move.
“This vision is solid enough to break through the walls of the existing political division in the country,” she said in a statement.
The PDP slate includes James Patrick R. Bondoc, Senators Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Raul L. Lambino, televangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy, Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta, former Presidential spokesperson Victor D. Rodriguez, Jesus V. Hinlo, Jr., Richard T. Mata, and Phillip R. Salvador.
Lawmakers on Sunday said Ms. Duterte is endorsing senatorial candidates in a bid to shore up support in the Senate, which is set to convene as an impeachment court where she faces ouster.
The Philippines has been embroiled in a deepening political feud between the Marcos and Duterte clans. Once close political allies, their alliance publicly eroded last year after a series of escalating tit-for-tat exchanges stemming from policy differences.
Presidential sister Ms. Marcos left the administration’s Senate ticket in late March, saying she could no longer stand on the same platform as her former peers.
Ms. Villar was still a member of the administration slate Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) when Ms. Duterte endorsed her.
Her father, businessman and former Senate President Manuel B. Villar, Jr., has said he sees no reason to join the quarrel between President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and his predecessor Rodrigo R. Duterte, both of whom are his friends.
“We are glad that they share our goal for a peaceful and prosperous Philippines. But turning that vision into reality takes more than words,” Navotas Rep. Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco, campaign manager of the administration’s Senate ticket, said in a separate statement. “It requires a clear direction, steady leadership, and a track record of delivering results.”
“Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas stands on performance, not promises. Our candidates are working… to push for difficult but necessary reforms that will strengthen our institutions and improve lives,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
