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Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte have finalized their presidential and vice presidential tandem for May 2022 nationaland local elections

In a statement, Bongbong Marcos said he and Sara had formalized their tandem as standard bearer and running mate.

“Naitawid na namin ni Mayor Inday Sara Duterte ang proseso para sa tambalang inaasam-asam ng aming mga taga suporta–ang BBM-Sara sa 2022,” said Marcos, who is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

“At napagkasunduan namin at ng aming mga partido ang pagsusulong ng mapagkaisang liderato sakaling kami ay palarin sa darating na halalan sa Mayo 9, 2022,” he added.

“Ang aking partido ay nakipag-alyansa at humingi ng suporta para kay Bongbong Marcos at para sa akin matapos kong tanggapin ang inyong hamon at panawagan,” Sara said.

Lakas CMD president House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez indicated the party’s support for Marcos’ presidential candidacy as Sara said in her message.

“Our standard-bearer has spoken,” Romualdez told reporters when sought for comment as regards the party’s support for Marcos.

Sara said the PDP-Laban turned down her appeal for support but she said she understood the party’s position.

President Rodrigo Duterte is the chairman of the ruling party.

“Pero gusto ko lamang na linawin – walang pangalan na sinisira o dinudungisan, walang sinasagasaan, walang inaagrabyado, inaaway, pinapaiyak o inaapi,” Sara said.

Senator Bong Go, who initially filed a certificate of candidacy for vice president under PDP-Laban, has substituted Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chair Greco Belgica as the presidential bet of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa also withdrew his certificate of candidacy for president under the ruling party.

Duterte on Monday filed a COC to run for senator also under the PDDS.

The PDP-Laban is now the subject of a controversy before the Commission on Elections as two factions–one controlled by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and the other by senators Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel–are claiming control of the ruling party.