Palace wants Duterte to endorse 'friend' Roxas for president

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang expressed hope on Monday that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will support Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II in the 2016 elections.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the two officials have been long-time friends and that Duterte campaigned for the Aquino-Roxas tandem in 2010.

"More than anything, they have been friends. So certainly, you would like to make sure that that friendship continues and how that friendship will blossom into an endorsement of Mayor Duterte to Secretary Mar Roxas," Lacierda said.

"We have seen that already in 2010 when he endorsed then Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Sen. Mar Roxas. We certainly hope that Mayor Duterte and former Secretary Mar Roxas would rekindle their—or clear the air between the two of them," he added.

Laciera made the statement as he refuted claims that Roxas had a hand in the spreading of rumors that Duterte has throat cancer.

"Secretary Mar Roxas has already texted Mayor Duterte about it and really saying he had nothing to do with that. They are friends," he said.

Lacierda hinted that Roxas and Duterte may talk to each other soon.

"Magkaibigan 'yung dalawa e so, hindi malayo na mayroong—may efforts na mag-usap ‘yung dalawa pero kung ano ‘yung mga efforts na ‘yon, I am not privy to it," he said.

Lacierda maintained that the administration will not resort to black propaganda and will only engage in a platform-based campaign.