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The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso  on Wednesday nominated Senator Christopher “Bong “ Go and President Rodrigo Duterte as their standard-bearer in 2022 national and local elections.

Go and Duterte’s nomination to run for the top two posts in the country was expected, as administration party had endorsed the two for the same positions a month ago.

President Duterte had accepted the endorsement, but Go did not. But the Cusi faction, however, continued to push Go toward seeking the presidency.

Prior to the party national assembly, Go appeal to party mates for understanding as he remains firm on not running for president in2022, saying he leaves his fate to God, the Dutertes, and the Filipino people.

Top officials of the Cusi wing of PDP-Laban have said that they want Go and Duterte to run in the 2022 elections to ensure continuity of the current administration’s governance, which has been criticized over alleged human rights abuses and its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Go and Duterte would be for them to file their candidacies before the Commission on Elections in October.

Duterte, 76, is prohibited by the Constitution from seeking a second term, but his opponents believe he wants to maintain his grip on power.

He earlier said he and Go would not run in the 2022 race if daughter Davao Sara Duterte-Carpio ran for president.

Duterte-Carpio and her father had topped recent election surveys. She has said she was open to running for president.

The Comelec has yet to resolve the internal squabble inside PDP-Laban, one led by Cusi and the other led by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, which both claim to be the legitimate ruling party.

In an escalation of conflict between the two factions, the Cusi wing asked the Comelec on Tuesday to declare the Pacquiao wing as illegitimate and to stop them from acting on behalf of the party.

The Cusi wing, despite being confident that they will be declared as the legitimate PDP-Laban in the end, said they are prepared for any outcome, including having their bets run as independent candidates in the event their faction is declared illegitimate.

PDP-Laban will  release the final  list of Senatorial anytime after it finalized the list.