MANILA, Philippines—Despite his order to Cabinet officials to keep off the campaign trail, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday defended Communications Secretary Martin Andanar’s presence in a recent PDP-Laban campaign sortie, saying that his father was among the ruling party’s founding members. Talking to reporters after administering the oath-taking of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Duterte said Andanar is an “ideologue” and his guidance is “very important” to PDP-Laban members. ADVERTISEMENTOn Thursday, Andanar admitted representing former presidential aide and now senatorial aspirant Bong Go to a campaign event in San Juan City. This despite the President’s recent order to Cabinet officials not to campaign for or against any candidate in the upcoming May polls. READ: Cabinet members told to keep off campaign trailHowever, Andanar claimed that his presence at the PDP-Laban event had the blessing of Duterte.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 22, 2019 12:11 UTC