Senator Panfilo Lacson said Friday he would not seek President Rodrigo Duterte's endorsement for his presidential bid, for the sake of self-respect.
Lacson's rival in the 2022 presidential elections, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, had said in response to a reporter's question that he was "hopeful" of an endorsement by Duterte, whose choice of successor, Sen. Bong Go, backed out of the race.
"Sabi nga namin, all endorsements welcome but we're not seeking it, especially openly seeking just like what one particular candidate is doing, we cannot do that," Lacson told reporters in Cebu, without naming Moreno.
"Importante sa tao 'yung self respect at saka dignidad ng isang tao so we will not resort to that."
Moreno also said he would vote for Duterte as senator, adding he would be "humbled and honored" if the chief executive joins his three-person senatorial slate, changing his tone months after criticizing Duterte's handling of the pandemic.