MANILA, Philippines: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party has thrown their support behind election frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s candidacy in the upcoming May 9 election.

The PDP-Laban party has not fielded its own candidate, but announced support to Marcos, the son and namesake of the country’s late dictator, who is running alongside Duterte’s daughter, Davao city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

However, it is still unclear who the popular Duterte would personally support.

Marcos, commonly known as “Bongbong”, was the candidate “whose platform is most aligned with the development programme” of Duterte, read the resolution signed by members of the party belonging to a faction supported by the Philippine leader.

Cracks have appeared within the ruling party since last year, as supporters of Duterte and another presidential candidate, Manny Pacquiao, have sought to wrest control of party members.

Political analyst Temario Rivera said Duterte’s endorsement was an important factor.

“Forget about parties in our system. It is powerful families and influential politicians that count,” Rivera said, adding that the PDP-Laban remained “very divided.”

Governor Ben Evardone, his party’s vice president and a close ally of Duterte, announced he would back one of Marcos’ rivals, Vice President Leni Robredo. He did not sign the party resolution.

Marcos enjoys a strong lead in the presidential election race, according to opinion polls, which also showed Duterte-Carpio as the top choice for vice president.