Roxas, Duterte and a dud

Remember that Friday night meeting between Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Davao City Mayor Digong Duterte? What many expected to be some serious discussion about alliances, partnerships, or even running mate offers turned out to be a dud. Here’s what we gathered.

Not known to many, Roxas and Duterte have been friends from many years back. In fact, in 2009, the year before the last presidential elections when Roxas was supposed to be the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer – until the death of former president Cory Aquino turned things around – Duterte had committed to support Roxas. 

He was supposedly impressed by Roxas’ abilities and his clean image.

Friday’s meeting was a meeting between friends facilitated by Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. Quiboloy, spiritual leader of over 6 million followers, has given his blessings to past presidential candidates like Gibo Teodoro who, however, lost in the 2010 elections. Whenever Roxas is in the Mindanao area, he is given access to Quiboloy’s hangar and Friday was no exception.

While waiting for his friend Duterte, Quiboloy slipped, or knowingly slipped, and told the waiting Roxas that the Davao mayor was still shooting his TV commercial.

Sharp enough to grasp nuances, Roxas understood what that meant. Who knows what he had in mind and why he bothered to go back to Davao for that meeting with Duterte? The tough-talking mayor probably had his own expectations too, expecting perhaps to be offered something concrete that he could think about or consider. After all, Vice President Jejomar Binay had previously made Duterte an offer: to be Binay’s VP, which was totally unpalatable.

So when the two came face to face for dinner, there was civil, diplomatic talk about Binay’s offer and peace and order. Absolutely nothing about being a tandem for 2016.

Next question is, with Duterte off his list, who will Mar Roxas ask to be his vice president? When will he be declaring his presidential bid? Sources in different political camps say it’s coming real soon, as soon as this June. – Chay F. Hofileña/Rappler.com