Agusan del Norte mayors back Duterte’s presidential bid

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – All of Agusan del Norte’s mayors broke party lines and threw their all-out support behind the presidential bid of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) standard-bearer Rodrigo Duterte.

The mayors, representing 10 municipalities and one city, who are affiliated with different national political parties, met with Duterte after he attended the Rotarian District Conference at the Almont Inland Resort on Saturday, March 5.

Nasipit Mayor Enrico Corvera cited Duterte’s 22 years of untainted record as Davao City mayor and being a son of Mindanao as the basis of their support.

“He is the only presidential candidate who understands the problems and situation of local governments, [and] he can relate to local leaders being a mayor of a big city,” Corvera said.

Corvera, president of Kusog Agusanon, a group of local government officials of Agusan del Norte province, said it is their honor to support a Mindanaoan running for president.

“We also believe this country will be peaceful under a Duterte administration,” he said in an interview.

Former Agusan del Sur governor Charito Plaza, who is vice president of PDP-Laban, also called on their supporters to vote for Duterte.

“Dili nato sayangan ang higayon. Usa siya ka garbo sa Mindanao (We must not waste the chance. He is the pride of Mindanao),” Plaza said.

Plaza underscored Duterte’s background as a lawyer, vice mayor, mayor, and a one-time congressman, saying this makes him the most deserving and rightful presidential candidate.

“He is an implementer, an enforcer of laws,” Plaza said. “He is the most competent among the candidates.”

Buenavista town mayoralty candidate Joselito Roble of the Nationalista Party told Rappler that he knows “my party will understand our position.”

Duterte also held a successful rally yesterday at the Monilla Boulevard in Butuan attended by around 3,000 people from Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. – Rappler.com