Zarate, who used to cover Duterte for the defunct Media Mindanao News Service said Duterte was actually the common candidate of anti-Cory forces the first time he ran for office. Duterte was supported by the left and even by those people under the Marcos administration during that time, Zarate said.
But when Duterte won, the Ayalas started to support him.
Zarate said the people surrounding Duterte at City Hall now are mostly identified with businessman Ayala; namely: Wendel Avisado, the city administrator now running for the City Council; Engr. Mario Luis Jacinto, the city planning and development coordinator and Antonio Llamas, former city administrator.
Joel Virador, who is running for first district councilor of Davao City as guest candidate of Duterte’s Hugpong, said the mayor’s endorsement of Aquino does not affect them.
“That is the mayor’s personal choice. We are not compelled to follow,” he said.
Virador said Aquino has not addressed the land reform issues surrounding their family-owned Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. He criticized Aquino for failing to give a stand.
Supporters of Liberal Party Presidential bet Noynoy Aquino and his running mate Mar Roxas flash the Laban sign during the proclamation rally in Davao City on April 9. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his vice mayor daughter Sara endorsed the Liberal Party candidates before thousands of supporters. (photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)
While Duterte endorsed Aquino, Zarate said Duterte’s support is really not that ‘overwhleming’. Aquino might be Duterte’s personal choice but he cannot force his choice down the line.
“While Aquino is leading the surveys and will most likely win, we still have to see if it will translate into votes,” he said.
Zarate also said that ‘politics is local’ which means, the Dutertes will always focus their campaign to win their local fight against House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Nograles’ son Karlo, their strongest political opponent. Nograles running for mayor against Duterte’s daughter Sara while Nograles’ son Karlo running for the House of Representatives in the first district of Davao City.
Duterte endorses Noynoy. (photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)
“They will endorse national candidates but they will not be their priorities,” Zarate said, “The local will always concentrate on their organization and strive for their survival.”
Among the crowd in Ponciano, Minda Marces, 68, said she had been a constant Duterte supporter for years. But she said she is not sure if she will also vote for Liberal Party standard bearer Noynoy Aquino for President.
Marces said she still have several weeks before the elections to scrutinize candidates for President and Vice- President.
“Mayor Duterte’s endorsement will not influence me,” she said.( Grace S. Uddin/davaotoday.com/ davaotoday.com)
