Cayetano not giving up on Duterte

MANILA, Philippines - Hope springs eternal and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is still looking forward to having Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte by his side when he files his certificate of candidacy (COC) next week.

Cayetano, who has been in talks with the camp of Duterte for a possible tandem in the 2016 elections, said that the mayor has asked for some space to make his decision about a possible bid for higher office.

He said that Duterte has been busy with local matters in Davao and so his plans for the 2016 elections are not a priority.

Cayetano has voiced desire to pair up with Duterte, most significantly with his announcement to run for vice president at the bailiwick of Duterte in Davao City.

“I’m already committed to support him whatever happens. If he runs for president I will campaign for him. I’ll sacrifice some of my resources and time to campaign for him,” Cayetano said.

“If he chooses me as his vice president that’s a bonus, if not, then I am still committed to him. I’m hoping that we will file (COCs) together,” he added.

Some campaign materials have come out showing Duterte with Cayetano, which the latter said were prepared by supporters of both sides.

“These are expressions of support. More of encouraging us to run and to run together. They were just airing their sentiments,” Cayetano said.

It is this grassroots support that Cayetano said he is counting on to propel his bid for the vice presidency since a backing from his political party, the Nacionalista Party (NP), appears to be out of the question.

With three NP members all running for vice president, the party would most likely declare a free zone, which means it would allow their members to choose who they want to support.

Apart from Cayetano, the other NP members running for vice president are Sens. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Cayetano said that he has not talked to Marcos yet about the situation but as far as Trillanes is concerned, they have agreed to engage in a fair fight.

“The relationship is more important than politics. We’ll keep the fight fair,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ruling Liberal Party has included former senator Panfilo Lacson in its senatorial slate as a guest candidate even as the LP considers the possibility of dropping Sen. Teofisto Guingona III from the lineup due to his supposed “questionable loyalty.”

A stalwart of the LP from the House of Representatives also disclosed Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar intends to drop his senatorial bid after his mother, Sen. Cynthia Villar, opposed his plan. – With Paolo Romero