CAINTA, Philippines – The mayor of the second most vote-rich town in Rizal endorsed the presidential candidacy of Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, April 12. 

Kit Nieto, who is seeking reelection this May, is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the second largest political party in the country. NPC leaders have announced the party will be supporting presidential candidate Grace Poe. 

That didn’t stop Nieto from giving Duterte a warm introduction during the latter’s rally in Cainta. The rally was held right outside the Municipal Hall.

“Mayor, kami’y tumatanggap ng maraming kandidato dito pero pag pinagsalita namin kayo sa lobby, pakikinggan namin kayo. Pag pinagsalita namin kayo sa flag pole, pakikinggan namin kayo at pag-iisipan namin, pero pag may kandidato, ako mismo gumawa ng entablado, iboboto namin kayo,” he said to loud cheers from the audience. 

(Mayor, we receive a lot of candidates here but if we let you speak in the lobby, we will listen to you. If we let you speak at the flag pole, we will listen to you and think about it, but if there is a candidate who I myself built a stage for, we will vote for you.)

“Mga kasama, isang obligasyon ng isang ama ng bayan na ipaalam sa inyo ang aking personal na desisyon, na aking pagkakatiwalaan na magiging desisyon niyo rin. Ang aking pangulo, Digong Duterte,” he finished before surrendering the microphone to Duterte.

(My companions, it is my obligation, as the father of this town, to tell you my personal decision which I trust will be your decision as well. My president is Digong Duterte.) 

When asked by reporters if he is officially endorsing Duterte, Nieto said,  “Yes I am, I’ve been supporting him since day one.”

Duterte, Cayetano arrive in Cainta municipal hall. #PHVoteDuterte pic.twitter.com/5hfD91HN0f

— Pia Ranada (@piaranada) April 12, 2016

Duterte had campaigned in Rizal twice before. But in a visit to Antipolo City, he did not get any endorsement from the Ynareses, an influential family whose members include the current Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares and the Antipolo City Governor Jun Ynares.

The Ynareses also belong to NPC. (READ: Duterte eyed as NPC presidential bet)

The Davao City mayor, now a front-runner in pre-election surveys, badly needs more support in Rizal, which, with 1.8 million voters, is a key province.

According to surveys, Duterte remains a 3rd-placer in the Balance of Luzon, with more people favoring Grace Poe or Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Cainta is also the hometown of Binay’s spokesman, Mon Ilagan, who previously served as the town’s mayor. – Rappler.com