Duterte won’t physically join senatorial bets in campaigns

MANILA – Malacañang said Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte would not be physically joining his endorsed senatorial candidates in their campaigns for the May 9 elections as there are no official entries set yet in his calendar.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the President is currently “busy with work”.

“Okay naman si Pangulo (The President is okay) busy with work. But with regard to physically joining mga senatorial candidates ay wala pong official entries in his official calendar to that effect,” Nograles said in a press briefing.

Duterte has supported the senatorial bids of former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, former senator JV Ejercito, and former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairperson Greco Belgica.

Currently, Duterte still has not endorsed any presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.

“Well, balikan natin ‘no iyong sinabi ni Pangulo (Let’s recall what the President said) in his previous ‘Talk to the People’ address and I quote: ‘At this time, I am saying that I am not supporting anybody unless there is a compelling reason really for me to change my mind and decide to support a candidate.’ So, so far, ganoon pa rin po ang stand ni Pangulo (that is still the stand of the President),” Nograles said.