DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte officially proclaimed Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino as his presidential bet in a rally by the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, Duterte’s local political party, Friday evening.

On Thursday evening, Duterte’s chief aide Lawrence “Bong” Go confirmed that the mayor will be officially declaring his support for Aquino’s candidacy. The declaration of support came one month before the May 10 elections.

Few months ago, Duterte had also publicly declared his support for vice presidentiable and Senator Mar Roxas who is also from the Liberal Party. In the senatorial line-up, Duterte however declared only one from the Liberal Party few weeks ago in the person of former senator Franklin Drilon.

The Liberal Party, nonetheless, is in full force to give their support to Duterte. In their advisory, Aquino, Roxas and the entire senatorial slate of the LP are here in town for two days to go around and campaign.

The LP slate arrived in Davao City Friday afternoon and immediately went on a motorcade and people’s march thru the city’s thoroughfares. Private sector supporters also had an afternoon with the candidates at Marco Polo Hotel. In the evening, the LP candidates attended the grand rally of Hugpong at the Freedom Park just fronting the hotel.

On Saturday, the LP bets will be visiting Davao del Sur where they will hold a rally at the old terminal in Digos City and will proceed to Padada town for a short stop. The team will then proceed to Surallah and Marbel towns for motorcade before holding a press conference at Fitmart in Marbel.