HOUSE Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez and the Centrist Democratic Party (CPD) yesterday have chosen a strange combination to support the president and vice president.
In a press conference after the CPD national convention in Barangay Nazareth here, Rodriguez announced their support to Vice President Ma. Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo presidential bid.
“Today, I am proud to endorse and declare my support as well that of my family’s and my party’s (CDP) support to the presidential candidacy of VP Leni Robredo,” Rodrguez said in a Twitter post.
“She is the best choice for our country and our children moving forward,” Rodriguez added.
While CPD members who attended the convention greeted his announcement with cheers, Rodriguez also announced their support to the candidacy of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte as vice president.
“Mayor Sara Duterte is very qualified and she works with integrity. She is also a Mindanaoan who can help the people of Mindanao,” Rodriguez said.
The announcement of support for Robredo and Duterte raised eyebrows from netizens.
Netizen Carl Encarnacion wondered why Rodriguez waited for Leni’s momentum to build up before throwing in its declaration of support.
“Any form of support is welcome but I’m still for Leni-Kiko tandem,” Encarnacion said.
Another netizen Juliet Salcedo Cañadilla said she respects the decision of Rodriguez and the CPD but will still vote for Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.
“It’s our right and our choice,” Cañadilla posted.
The decision of Rodriguez to support Robredo may have firmed up when the vice president visited the house of Rodriguez in Barangay Nazareth here on October 15, 2021.
Rodriguez’s wife, Fenina Tiukinhoy, and his daughter, Regine Beatrice, were impressed by Robredo that they egged on the deputy speaker to support her.
The deputy speaker told the CDP members that he could not throw his support to Robredo without their vote of approval, which he got during the national convention on Sunday.
Rodriguez said he and Robredo have worked together in the 16th Congress and was impressed by her diligence.
“She came always prepared and is good in economics,” he said.
Aside from supporting Robredo and Duterte, Rodriguez also announced their support to the senatorial bets.
They are: Senators Miguel Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Richard Gordon, and Risa Hontiviros.
Rodriguez said they are also supporting the candidacy of former Vice President Jejomar Binay, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former senator JV Ejercito, former House Speaker Allan Cayetano, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and TV personality Raffy Tulfo.