DESPITE her recent pronouncements that she is distancing herself from calls to run for presidency this upcoming 2022 national elections, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio still thanked the people who are urging her to run.
Duterte-Carpio, in a radio interview on Monday, February 1, 2021, gave a short message upon learning that a group of supporters gathered in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila.
"Nagpasalamat ko sa ilang suporta sa akoa (Thank you for supporting me). I am grateful for their trust and confidence in me, and what I can do, and what I can help for the country," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
Over the weekend, reports and photos from the national media showing calendars urging her to run for president in 2022 were distributed to several vendors in Banawe Street, Quezon City.
The calendar contained Duterte-Carpio's photo with the caption, "Run Sara, run for President 2022."
As of Tuesday, February 2, no group has yet taken credit for the distribution of calendars.
The mayor responded through a statement issued to national media.
"I understand where they are coming from, I too am anxious where we are going as a nation. I am always grateful that I have their trust and confidence," Duterte-Carpio said.
She also said she is not planning to run in 2022, but in 2034.
"I am pleading to them to please allow me to run for President in 2034, if at that time there is something I can do to help the country," she said.
The mayor had been shutting down rumors of her planning to run for presidency.
Duterte-Carpio said in a recent interview that she is currently focused on addressing the Covid-19 situation in the city.
Her father, in recent public speeches, also does not want her to run for presidency.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio, in a short video message provided to the media by the Davao City Information Office on Thursday afternoon, January 28, warned the public against individuals who are soliciting money claiming that it will be used for her campaign for presidency.
The mayor said she had been receiving reports that there are certain individuals who have been asking money from different groups, including those from the business sector.
She said this group is not authorized to do such, and urged the public not to give in to their demand as it is a "scam."
She advised the public not to entertain the fraud "campaign fundraising" and instead report it to the police authorities immediately.
During the radio interview, she said she knows the people behind the fundraising.
"Yes. Kaila ko ani nila (I know them)," she said.
"Dili man siguro ta mag-announce kung wala kita'y gipadunggan nga tao (I wouldn't make any announcement if we are not alluding to anyone)," she added.
Duterte-Carpio has been leading on various surveys from different polling bodies for the 2022 Presidential Elections.
But the mayor had recently asked Pulse Asia and other research organizations to have her name removed from the list of any surveys on the upcoming presidential elections 2022.