President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not endorsing any presidential candidate, Malacañang maintained Wednesday.

This, after Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, who serves as vice president of Duterte’s ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for the Visayas, backed the presidential bid of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

In an online press conference, acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte would only support a presidential aspirant, if there is a “compelling reason” to do so.

“Now, for the President’s part, PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) remains to support no one in the presidential race, unless there is a compelling reason,” Andanar said.

Evardone on Monday endorsed the presidential candidacy of Robredo, basing it on the qualifications set by Duterte for his successor.

In an interview with SMNI aired on March 12, Duterte said the next president should be “compassionate” and “decisive.”

He also wanted his successor to be someone who is a lawyer.

Of the 10 presidential hopefuls, only Robredo and Dr. Jose Montemayor are lawyers.

Andanar said Evardone’s endorsement could just be a “personal choice”.

“I understand that is the personal choice of my good friend, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone. At hindi po natin tiyak kung iyan ang official stand ng PDP-Laban (We do not know yet the official stand of PDP-Laban) and the officers of the PDP-Laban,” he said.

The PDP-Laban is set to name its presidential bet on or before March 25, acting Cabinet Secretary and PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag said.

Matibag also clarified that Duterte has yet to pick the official standard-bearer of the PDP-Laban.

Duterte initially backed the presidential bid of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who later withdrew. (PNA)