MANILA, Philippines — The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party fully supports the possible vice presidential bid of its national president, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.
Lakas-CMD’s declaration comes after the party resolution supporting the possible presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and renewing their coalition with her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, party vice president for agriculture and food, said members of their executive committee unanimously approved his motion to support Romualdez should he decide to run for vice president in next year’s polls.
In an interview, Romualdez said he has not yet decided whether or not to seek the vice presidency next year following a public endorsement from President Duterte.
“We are very much in deep consideration of this opportunity to vie for the second highest position in the land. It would be done with consultations… from province of Leyte and of course with our party members, I will rely heavily on that,” he told House reporters.
Romualdez also sees no conflict with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also reportedly being considered as the vice presidential running mate of Duterte-Carpio.
“We’ve actually not spoken about the vice presidency, but I know he has aspirations for national office so we expect that in time we will discuss it,” he said.
Binay on LP, 1Sambayan
Although her name has come up in political circles, Sen. Nancy Binay has closed her door to offers for her to run for higher office.
“Let’s just set the record (straight), I am not running for a position in 2022. My term will end in 2025 so I still have three more years (as senator),” Binay told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News/TV5.
“Right now, running for a higher office in 2022 is something that, you know, I cannot give my 100 percent (to),” she added, noting her having to balance responsibilities as an elected official and mother.
Binay was one of those considered by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party (LP), to join them as the first step in fielding one presidential candidate. She was also contacted by the 1Sambayan national coalition to run for higher office.
While she has not slammed the door on LP, Binay said wounds inflicted on their family in previous elections need patching up before discussing any alliance in 2022.
“As for the offer of the Liberal Party, my colleagues in the Senate that belong to the Liberal Party, we work together very well. But we know the history of the Liberal Party with my family since 2010, 2013 and especially in 2016.”
“Unfortunately in 2019, there was an opportunity to put a Band-aid on that wound, but apparently instead of putting a Band-aid, they rubbed salt on it,” Binay noted, referring to the defeat of her father, former vice president Jejomar Binay, in the first district congressional race.
The elder Binay, who served as mayor for a long time in Makati City, lost to Romulo Peña Jr., a member of LP. Jejomar Binay ran and lost in the 2016 presidential race.
As for 1Sambayan, Binay said it would seem like it aims to establish itself as the “third force” to the polarizing “DDS and dilaw,” referring to the pro-Duterte and the hardline opposition which LP represents.
“I think that’s one that 1Sambayan is looking at, to be that third force. But I guess they are too identified (with the opposition) so I don’t know how they can rebrand themselves,” she said.
“There should be a color blind way of leadership. For me, that is something we need right now,” added Binay. “I’m looking for somebody who can really do something with our problem with COVID-19 and concept with continuity and healing.”
On the issue of political dynasty, she said criticisms of her family in Makati City do not hurt her because they all went through the right process and got elected.
“When I ran in 2019, I almost lost,” said Binay who placed 12th in the senatorial race. “It is not given that because I am a Binay, I will win. I need to introduce myself to the people. At the end of the day, the people will decide.” – Cecille Suerte Felipe