NO matter how much Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio tries to fend off questions about her being the heir apparent of her father, President. Rodrigo Duterte, the writing on the wall is as clear as when night follows day that she is charting her own course to be next in line to the presidency.
Is this good for the country?
Well, it all depends on how one is perceiving things this early, especially where she goes, what she does and the kind of company she keeps around her.
There is no doubt in the minds of many Filipinos that, like her father, she has the traits and the background that would make her a competent head of government.
Growing like her father to become a fearless lawyer, following his footsteps as an astute politician and succeeding in sustaining the peace, safety and stability of Davao City that was once her father’s domain, Sara can only be seen as a worthy successor, indeed, exhibiting the same brand of Duterte politics, political will and no-nonsense governance.
More worthy perhaps than one thinks about Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who never got to be a local government executive and could not claim the same educational and political achievements as Sara, but who became president, nevertheless, because of the "magic" of his name.
That Sara is very glaringly visible beside the President in every Malacañang state function and even during state visits not only signifies the President’s confidence in his daughter’s ability but is likewise giving her the early insights of what the presidency is all about during these events.
That Sara accompanies the President, especially during overseas official trips abroad, to prevent him from committing faux pas is an inconsequential alibi. But in the same manner that Sara has plausible strong and positive attributes as a political leader who could carry out the same vision and mission her father has for the country, regrettably there are also weaknesses in her persona that make people cynical about her political motivations and intentions.
I am referring of course to her close association and strong endorsement of senatorial bets like Imee Marcos, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla, all of who continue to leave a bad taste in the mouth of many Filipinos.
I was hoping that Sara would be unsentimental about the Marcoses and accept the truth and the reality about what this despicable family has done to the country and its people, even as the President poignantly considers them a family friend. Alas, she stands with her father on this.
Also, why champion the candidacy of Estrada and Revilla, who, together with Juan Ponce Enrile, were involved in the multi-billion-peso public funds scam so blatantly misused during their term as senators and which got them all jailed for plunder and malversation charges? That they have not been convicted yet does not mean that they deserve to have their seats back. That is simply absurd and not in conformity to the Dutertes’ strong aversion for corruption in government.--JESUS SIEVERT