By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: PCOO

The national council of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) has adopted a resolution seeking for President Rodrigo Duterte’s candidacy as vice president and to choose a running mate in the 2022 national elections.

"As moderator of this national council meeting, may I move...that this national council shall adopt a resolution following the early resolutions made by the different chapters and different local governments all over the country to convince the PDP-Laban Party chairman, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to run for vice president and to choose his running mate for President in the 2022 national elections," PDP-LABAN Vice President for External Affairs Raul Lambino said during the party’s meeting on Monday, May 31.

Lambino said the party received several resolutions and petitions urging Duterte to run as vice president.

The meeting was held in Cebu City despite an order from Senator Manny Pacquiao to ignore the invitation.

Last Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte has directed PDP-Laban Vice Chairperson and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to “organize, convene and preside '' over the event.

He said it “is part of the democratic exercise” and “have a fruitful and productive exchanges on issues affecting PDP-Laban and its members.”

Pacquiao’s camp said they would try to meet with Duterte to tackle the party’s stand ahead of the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.