PRESIDENTIAL daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday, July 1, debunked anew speculations that she would seek a Senate seat in 2019, but endorsed four potential candidates.
Duterte-Carpio, who also chairs the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago local political party, called for support for Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, former police chief Ronald dela Rosa and Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go.
She also endorsed Senator Cynthia Villar.
"Dili ko gusto modagan as senator (I do not want to run for senator), want to stay in Davao. For now, I just want to make the Davao Region strong so that, when the term of President (Rodrigo) Duterte ends, Dabawenyos will be very happy," she said in a speech during Sunday’s mass oath-taking ceremony for over 1,000 barangay officials at the Davao Oriental State University Gymnasium in Mati City.
Villar, in a separate interview, thanked Duterte-Carpio for her trust and confidence.
The senator vowed to improve agriculture and food security in the country.
Marcos and Mangudadatu were also grateful for the presidential daughter’s endorsement.
Villar, Marcos and Mangudadatu were all present during the event where Duterte-Carpio was invited as guest of honor. The event was one of the highlights of the 51st founding anniversary of Davao Oriental on July 1, 2018.
Duterte-Carpio, in the anniversary program at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, represented for the first time her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.
"I was truly happy that I was assigned in Davao Oriental to represent the President for the first time," she said.