MANILA -- PDP Laban Secretary General, Atty. Melvin Matibag, on Monday said the filing of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go of his certificate of candidacy for President in the 2022 national elections has served to consolidate the forces of the ruling party.

In an interview at the morning Radio/TV program of Daily Tribune, aired over DZRJ Teleradyo Bandido TV and RJ 810 AM, Matibag admitted that in the past few days some members expressed concern over uncertainty in the party’s standard bearers for the 2022 national elections.

“To be honest, in the past few days, many questions were raised (by our members). Now that we have a definite candidate for President, our local candidates are more confident of our party’s direction. Of course, they want to know for certain as to who would carry the banners of PDP Laban,” Matibag said.

On Saturday, PDP Laban President Alfonso Cusi issued an open letter to the ruling party’s members, through Matibag assuring them that nothing has changed, including their objective to secure victory in the coming national and local elections.

“We urge you to toe the party line and remain steadfast. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will personally lead our campaign and is committed to support all our candidates,” Cusi added.

It could be recalled that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had filed his certificate of candidacy for presidency under PDP Laban but said he is willing to step aside if presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte would take his place.

Likewise, Sen. Bong Go hinted in an emotional speech last week that he might withdraw his candidacy for vice president. But on Saturday, after Mayor Sara filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president under Lakas-CMD, Sen. Go withdrew his candidacy for vice president and instead ran for president under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).

“When Sen. Bong Go filed his certificate of candidacy, it’s not under PDP Laban. But just the same, our alliance agreement is clear that PDP Laban will also be in the frontlines of the campaign of Sen. Bong Go,” Matibag clarified. “Sen. Bong Go is committed to carry the flag of PDP Laban even if the CONA (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance) he used is from the PDDS,” he added. Matibag said they are in constant communication with PDP Laban members all over the country.

“In fact, today we will have our NEC (National Executive Committee) meeting to schedule our National Council meeting, probably on the first week of December,” he said.

In the meantime, Matibag said President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Go will start going around the provinces to endorse local candidates of PDP Laban. But he refused to comment on the possibility of President Duterte facing off with Mayor Sara for the vice presidential race. “If President Duterte would decide to run for any position, you can be sure that we will support and promote the candidacy of the President,” Matibag said. (PDP Laban)