PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may endorse presidential aspirant and incumbent Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso in the 2022 elections. This was what former Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, who is seeking a seat in the Senate, told reporters on Friday, February 18, 2022. Castriciones, who was in Cebu City for the launching of its official headquarters in Barangay Cogon Ramos, said they have gained the confidence of Duterte after their organization, identified as the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Rodrigo Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRDNECC) was the one responsible for having launched a very successful campaign for the incumbent president in 2016. Catriciones is MRRDNECC's founding president. He said the majority of MRRDNECC's membership, which he claims to be around at least two million, decided to support the bid for the presidency and vice presidency of Domagoso and presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Former agrarian reform secretary and senatorial aspirant John Castriciones on Monday accepted the challenge of another aspiring senator, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, to engage in a public debate with other fellow senatorial candidates in the May 2022 elections. Castriciones said the debate would provide the senatorial candidates with a stage to pitch their platforms and expose their issue positions. "Sir Chel Diokno, sang-ayon ako na ang pagdedebate ay maganda dahil ang makikinabang nito ay ang mga botante. Dapat ang pinag-uusapan ay ang mga isyu at plataporma. Tinatanggap ko ang hamon mo sa debate." Castriciones said in a Facebook post.

he Commission on Appointments suspended yesterday the confirmation hearing on John Rualo Castriciones as Agrarian Reform secretary after concerns were raised on his qualifications. A party-list representative against Castriciones’ appointment cited the official’s “lack of qualifications, special training and track record” to head the Department of Agrarian Reform. “That secretary should, starting Day 1, hit the ground running,” said Rep. Tom Villarin (Akbayan). “Without the necessary background, such appointee would be bereft of that qualification that should befit a secretary of DAR.” Villarin claimed that Castriciones has not acted on the letters of farmer-beneficiaries inquiring on their certificates of landownership award (CLOA) that had no legal impediment since his first day in office. President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Castriciones on Dec. 14 last year to replace Rafael Mariano, whose appointment the CA rejected.