Duterte endorses some senatorial candidates from PDP-Laban, UniTeam

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on March 29, 2022. Arman Baylon, Presidential Photo" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/04/02/20220329-duterte-cabinet-meeting-mnib16.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on March 29, 2022. <em>Arman Baylon, Presidential Photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is endorsing at least 17 senatorial candidates in the May elections, most of whom are part of the PDP-Laban aligned with him and the UniTeam tandem of Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio.</p><p>Duterte, during his speech at the PDP-Laban proclamation rally in Cebu on Thursday, said he is supporting the following senatorial aspirants: </p><ul>	<li>former PACC chief Greco Belgica</li>	<li>former House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano </li>	<li>Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero</li>	<li>former senator Jinggoy Estrada</li>	<li>former senator JV Ejercito </li>	<li>former senator Gringo Honasan </li>	<li>broadcaster Rey Langit</li>	<li>Deputy House Speaker Loren Legarda</li>	<li>House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta</li>	<li>actor Robin Padilla</li>	<li>former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo</li>	<li>former Energy Undersecretary Astra Pimentel</li>	<li>former Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque </li>	<li>former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro </li>	<li>Senator Joel Villanueva</li>	<li>former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar</li>	<li>Senator Miguel Zubiri </li></ul><p>Among those Duterte named, only Belgica, Langit, Marcoleta, Padilla, Panelo, and Pimentel are part of the PDP-Laban Cusi wing&#x27;s slate. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/05/22/cusi-group-to-formally-proclaim-sara-pdp-laban-vp-bet">#Halalan2022: Cusi group to formally proclaim Sara Duterte PDP-Laban VP bet</a></li></ul><p>Meanwhile, Jinggoy Estrada, Honasan, Legarda, Roque, Teodoro, Villar, and Zubiri are part of the UniTeam senatorial lineup. </p><p>Duterte did not formally endorse former Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones during the event, who is on the slate of PDP-Laban. </p><p>He mentioned Castriciones, though, whom he designated to oversee the distribution of land titles to former rebels. </p><p>&quot;He’s not here right now. I distributed about 100,000 plus. All the government-owned lands, I really gave it all. I’ve distributed about 300,000 land titles,&quot; he said of the official. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/22/robin-padilla-not-part-of-uniteam-slate-despite-duterte-carpio-endorsement">Robin Padilla not part of UniTeam slate despite Duterte-Carpio endorsement</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/16/22/sen-villanueva-says-duterte-backs-his-reelection-bid">#Halalan2022: Sen. Villanueva says Duterte endorsing his reelection bid</a></li></ul><p>Duterte reiterated in the same event that he was not endorsing a candidate for president.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1984458" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Among those Duterte is supporting are incumbent senators Villanueva and Zubiri, former senators Legarda and Escudero, and actor Robin Padilla.