The current administration of President Aquino expressed hope on Monday that the controversial Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will support the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II in the highly anticipated 2016 national elections.
During a press briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the two officials, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and the Davao City Mayor Duterte have been long-time friends and even noted that Mayor Duterte campaigned fro the Aquino-Roxas tandem in the 2010 national elections.
“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.
During the 2010 elections, Mayor Duterte endorsed the Aquino-Roxas tandem and the Palace is hoping that the tough-talking mayor of Davao City will finally decided to support the candidacy of Mar Roxas.
Malacañang also refuted claims circulating online that Mar Roxas had a hand in spreading of rumors that Mayor Duterte has throat cancer. The Palace also hinted that Mar Roxas and Mayor Duterte may talk each other soon.
The Presidential spokersperson Edwin Lacierda maintained that the administration will not resort to black propaganda and will only engage in a platform-based campaign.
