OUTGOING Davao City Mayor and presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said that she is not lobbying for any high-ranking officials in the city to be part of the incoming administration.

This was the mayor's response when SunStar Davao asked her during a radio interview on Monday, May 16, emphasizing that it is the prerogative of her running mate, presumptive President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., to appoint anyone in the cabinet position.

"Wala po (I did not make any recommendations) because ang (the) cabinet position is a position of trust and confidence sa president," Duterte-Carpio said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

The mayor said she is hands-off in the matter, emphasizing that if ever she would be the president, she would also be offended if anyone would dictate whom she should be appointing.

"Kung pakialaman nato ang pangulo sa mga i-appoint niya nga secretaries (If I would meddle in the appointing of secretaries), ang success or failure niana, tulubagon na siya sa President (the success or failure of it will be the responsibility of the president) because the president is the appointing authority," she said.

"Kung ako ang pangulo unya gina-ing-ana ko ninyo nga 'Oh, kini, i-appoint ni si kuan'... Of course, malain ko, masuko ko (If I am the president and that would be done to me, like someone would say ‘Appoint this person’, of course I would be offended and get angry) because this is my administration and ako ang mutubag sa (I will be responsible to the) performance sa mga (of my) cabinet secretar[ies]," she said.

Duterte-Carpio, who was recently nominated for the position of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, said a team is currently searching for potential cabinet secretaries in various department offices who will serve under the Marcos administration.

She added that selecting new appointees is crucial as they will be tasked to continue the project under the administration of her father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Duterte, a former city mayor, had appointed some high-ranking city officials including Philippine Sports Chairman (PSC) Butch Ramirez, who once led the Davao City Sports Commission; Presidential Commission for Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner Norman Baloro, former City Social Services Development Office (CSSDO) Buhangin District head Norman Baloro; and former Cabinet Secretary and current City Service Commission (CSC) chair Karlo Nograles, who was also a former City First District Representative. (RGL)