Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's political party on Tuesday backed the presidential bid of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a move seen as a boost to the son and namesake of the former Philippine dictator ahead of the May election.
The endorsement by the ruling PDP-Laban party came two days after a huge crowd of over 100,000 people turned up at a campaign rally for his rival, opposition icon and Vice President Leni Robredo, in Metro Manila.
The latest Pulse Asia survey in February, though, showed Robredo still trailed frontrunner Marcos Jr. by a 45-point gap.
Energy Secretary and party president Alfonso Cusi said Marcos Jr. offers a set of policies that is "most aligned" with that of Duterte, who is barred by the Constitution from seeking a second term.
Cusi was referring to the party's 11-point program, which includes the campaign against illegal drugs that left thousands of people dead under Duterte's government.
The party in December first endorsed Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running as Marcos Jr.'s vice president, although candidates are elected separately in the Philippines.
Duterte, who in November called Marcos Jr. a "weak leader," has yet to declare his preferred candidate, but allies are hoping he will eventually do so in the coming weeks.
Salvador Panelo, a Duterte ally and senatorial candidate, says he believes Duterte is the "most effective endorser," having maintained a high approval rating throughout his six-year term.
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