A WEEK before the filing of the certificate of candidacy, supporters of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio staged a nine-day novena nationwide.
A Facebook page named "SARA Duterte for President Movement" announced that the novena's intention will include the prayers for the discernment of the mayor and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, who formally announced that he will be running as vice president in the 2022 polls.
The novena will also center for the safety of all Covid-19 frontliners, and a "peaceful filing of certificate of candidacy (COC)."
The prayer vigil started on Thursday, September 23, and will end on October 1, the first day of the filing of COC.
Ituloy ang Pagbabago Movement (IPM) National Vice Chairman and Davao City Barangay 5-A Captain Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. said they are praying that the President and the mayor will be guided on their political decision next year.
"Sayo pa kaayo, daghan pa og kabag-ohan, mangaliyupo ta sa atong Diyos nga unta ang atong mga gitinguha mahatagan og tubag," Ibuyan said.
(It is too early. We are expecting that there would be changes. That's why we are asking for guidance from the Lord for us to be given the discernment.)
In Davao City, the novena was conducted at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish on Malvar Street, Barangay 7-A, while another mass was simultaneously held at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in Cebu City.
Duterte-Carpio, in her Facebook post through the Mayor Inday Sara Dutert e page, expressed her gratitude to the people behind the movement for organizing a nationwide novena, primarily for the country's frontliners. She also thanked them and the other movement for their endless support.
"Hindi ko man lahat mabanggit isa-isa ang mga pangalan ninyo, ang mahalaga nasa puso nating lahat ang kalagayan ng mga frontliners. Salamat din po sa walang sawa ninyong suporta," the mayor said.
(I cannot mention everyone. What is important is that the condition of our frontliners is within our hearts. We thank you for your continuous support.)
The Presidential daughter already said she will not be running for any higher position 2022, following her father's decision to run.
Duterte-Carpio also recently said she will be seeking reelection with the same position in the 2022 elections.
Her supporters, however, continue to prod her to run for the presidency.
A Facebook page named Dear Inday Sara, urged President Duterte to allow his daughter to run for President.
"Hinihilinng po namin na piliin ninyo ang inyong anak na si Mayor Inday Sara Duterte na tumakbo bilang pangulo, sapagkat wala nang iba ang magmamalasakit sa inyong naumpisahan," Dear Inday Sara wrote on their post.
((We are hoping that you would choose your daughter, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, to run for president as no other candidate has the heart who can continue what you started.)