Gibo supports Duterte even if mayor is pro-Noynoy

DAVAO CITY — Administration presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday night said he supports Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte even if the mayor is backing his rival and second cousin Senator Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party in the May elections. Teodoro told a crowd of 7,000 at the Rizal Park here he continues to respect his "true friend" even if he is not supporting his presidential bid. He said he used to be Duterte’s lawyer in his fight for justice in the 1990s. "I want to thank a true friend. Although he belongs to a different party, I still respect him. My admiration for [Duterte] will not change," he said in Filipino, eliciting a loud applause from the audience. Duterte, who is running for vice-mayor, and his daughter Sara, who is eyeing the mayoralty post, were absent. House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. the administration candidate for mayor here and with whom Teodoro has had a spat, was also not around. Teodoro never mentioned him in his speech. Nograles had asked Teodoro to shape up or leave the party if he could not address the concerns of its local candidates. He has threatened to support another presidential candidate, saying disgruntled members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD would follow suit. Teodoro dared Nograles to make good his threat. Only Teodoro’s cousin, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo and his wife actress Dawn Zulueta were on hand. Teodoro thanked presidential assistant for special projects Madeleine Marfori — Nograles’ political rival — for helping organize his campaign rally. In his speech, Teodoro batted for national unity and reconciliation, saying this is the reason he does not verbally attack anyone. "If all a leader does is attack, how can he unite the country? That’s why I turn the other check even if [some of the issues are] painful for me," he said. Teodoro asked the crowd to support his running mate Edu Manzano, whom he described as "tunay, tapat at hindi ka iiwanan (true, faithful and won’t leave you)," alluding to his disloyal party mates. Teodoro said he wants the same unity to achieve growth for Mindanao, new power plants to prevent brownouts and improved seaports and airports to attract investors. "Let us start here, with a genuine reconciliation under a principled and competent government," he said. Teodoro also asked his supporters to help enlighten those who believe in presidential surveys, where he is currently running in fourth place. He said he won’t give up until the elections end. Manzano, for his part, said people should vote for Teodoro because he is the most qualified among the presidential aspirants. "Elections are not won by radio interviews or the number of appearances on television. It’s not won by surveys. Previous elections have shown that," he said. Lagdameo said defections and threats of defection are normal during the election season, adding that members could not be forced to support candidates they don’t like. He said Teodoro’s camp does not have problems with Duterte because he lets all candidates campaign in his area. — NPA, GMANews.TV