Philippine presidential election: Duterte’s party backs Ferdinand Marcos Jnr for top job

The PDP-Laban party has endorsed the candidacy of Marcos Jnr, who is leading election surveys by a wide margin

However, it remained unclear which candidate President Duterte would personally throw his support behind

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: AP

Published: 2:35pm, 22 Mar 2022Updated: 2:41pm, 22 Mar 2022

The presidential bid of Philippine election front runner Ferdinand Marcos Jnr received a boost on Tuesday after incumbent leader Rodrigo Duterte’s political party endorsed his candidacy for the May 9 vote.

The PDP-Laban party, which has not fielded a presidential candidate, announced it will back Marcos Jnr, the son and namesake of the country’s late dictator, who is running alongside Duterte’s daughter, Davao city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Still, it remained unclear which candidate the popular Duterte would personally throw his support behind.

Marcos Jnr, commonly known as “Bongbong”, was the candidate “whose platform is most aligned with the development programme” of Duterte, read the resolution signed by members of the party belonging to a faction supported by the Philippine leader.

Cracks have appeared within the ruling party since last year as supporters of Duterte and another presidential candidate, Manny Pacquiao, have sought to wrest control.

Asked whether the party’s choice had Duterte’s blessing, party president Alfonso Cusi referred reporters to the leader’s office.