DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio was in the lead among presidentiables Filipinos want to vote for in the upcoming 2022 national elections, based on the surveys conducted by various institutions.
However, she made it clear then that she is not seeking a national post. Early this year, she even asked polling bodies to not include her name in the presidential surveys.
"I respectfully suggest to survey organizations to remove my name from the choices... Wala ta naghunahuna karon og eleksyon (We are not thinking of the elections these days)," she said in a Davao City Disaster Radio interview on Monday, January 4.
Amid calls for her to run for president, the mayor's messaging was clear -- she will not run.
On October 2, 2021, Duterte-Carpio filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of Davao City before the Commission on Elections-Davao City (Comelec-Davao City).
"I am presenting myself to the Dabawenyos as Mayor for the third and last time in my life as a politician," she said in a statement posted on her official Facebook page on October 8.
The filing of her COC for reelection as city mayor of Davao City in the upcoming 2022 National Elections seemed to have slowly dispelled the rumors that she will run for a higher national post. However, her supporters remained hopeful, considering that she has until November 15 to change the course of her political path.
“Naa pama’y (There is still until) November 15 to wait to have a decision, but gusto lang namo nga i-reiterate nga kasabot sab mi sa bug-at nga nadesisyonan ni Mayor Inday, and whatever nga na-decision, nga mag-presidente o magpabilin sa pagka-mayor sa Davao City, we fully commit and support her decision,” HNP Regional Treasurer and Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said on October 14.
(There is still November 15 to wait for her decision. We wanted to reiterate that we understand that is a heavy decision for Mayor Inday, and whatever her decision, to run as president or stay as mayor in Davao City, we fully commit and support her decision.)
Lawyer Migs Nograles of the Ask Atty. Migs digital program on SunStar Davao said substitution is allowed in the Philippines under Section 77 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881, otherwise known as the Omnibus Election Code.
"Substitution of candidates is allowed only in cases of death, withdrawal or disqualification of the original candidate," she said in a Facebook post on November 14.
She added that "in cases of withdrawal, the substitute can only file his certificate of candidacy within the period fixed by Comelec. For the 2022 elections, Comelec's deadline for substitution in cases of withdrawal is on November 15, 2021."
Baste withdraws COC for VM
On the morning of November 9, 2021, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte arrived at Comelec-Davao City. He withdrew his COC for vice mayor.
"I have filed my withdrawal as vice mayor candidate of Davao City. I hereby nominate Atty. Melchor Quitain Jr. as my substitute," Sebastian said in a statement.
Quitain said during an interview on SunStar Talking Heads on November 12, 2021, that he received a call from one of the aides of the vice mayor on the evening of November 8. He was asked to meet with the vice mayor.
"In all the two years that I have been his floor leader, I never got a call in the evening from him," he said.
When he was told that he will be substituting for Sebastian as vice mayor, he had mixed emotions of being happy and at the same time fear. He likened receiving the news when he was told by his wife that she is pregnant when he was just starting as a lawyer.
"Tuwang tuwang ako really but at the back of my mind ninenerbyos na ako. Am I ready for this?" Quitain recalled.
When he asked the vice mayor why he was chosen to be the substitute, he was told, "That is my decision, you are my choice."
"With those words uttered to me, I said, 'Yes vice, I will do my job,'" Quitain said.
Sara withdraws COC for mayor
Hours after, Duterte-Carpio arrived at Comelec-Davao to also withdraw her COC.
“Ngayong hapon wini-withdraw ko ang akong kandidatura sa pagka-Mayor ng Davao City. Si VM Baste ang papalit sa akin. Si [Councilor] Atty. Melchor Quitain [Jr.] ang nominado namin sa pagka-Bise Alkalde,” she said in a statement on her Facebook page.
(This afternoon, I have withdrawn my candidacy for mayor of Davao City. Vice Mayor Baste will be running for mayor while Atty. Melchor Quitain Jr. has been nominated for the vice mayorship.)
However, it was unclear then as to what position she will run for in the 2022 elections.
If she was eyeing for a national position, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said on November 10, that Duterte-Carpio will have to be a member of a national political party to be able to substitute either as a candidate for vice president or president for the 2022 elections.
Questionable timing?
Several individuals on social media questioned the timing of the withdrawals.
The weekend prior, former Davao City Information Office (CIO) head Jefry Tupas was allegedly involved in a beach party that was raided by authorities. Tupas, in a statement, confirmed that he attended the party but left after dinner.
However, some of the individuals who were arrested claimed during an interview with Newsline Philippines that Tupas was present during the raid and was among the “main targets” who were allegedly allowed to escape.
Tupas resigned and was terminated from his post as CIO head. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Davao Region (PDEA-Davao) Director Aileen Lovitos said Tupas is still part of the investigation.
Some speculated on social media that the withdrawal of the COCs at the local level was too perfect of timing to the alleged involvement of the former CIO head. Was it a coincidence or was it to drown out the news of the CIO head?
Quitain said despite what some detractors are saying, the withdrawal of the COCs was not for the "drama."
"Some detractors are saying drama lang iyan (that's for the drama)... Well, I am a witness to that. It is not a drama... ako mismo na bigla (I was surprised too)," Quitain said.
Sara leaves HNP, joins Lakas-CMD
At 9:30 a.m. of November 11, 2021, Duterte-Carpio tendered her resignation from Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional party she co-founded in 2018.
"It is with profound sadness that I hereby tender my resignation from our beloved party. My support will always be with you and I will always be grateful for all the things you have taught me," she said.
"While we are saddened by her resignation, we, however, wish her all the best in her future plans. Godspeed po, Mayor Sara. In our hearts, you will always be our chairperson. We love you po," HNP Secretary General Anthony del Rosario said in a statement.
Later in the day, Duterte-Carpio took an oath to become part of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)
Lakas-CMD President House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez led the oath at the Revilla Farm in Silang, Cavite around 6 p.m. Lakas-CMD chairman Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. witnessed the oath-taking.
"Mayor Sara’s governance principles evident in her exemplary performance as Mayor of Davao City are in alignment with the principles upon which Lakas-CMD is anchored, namely, good governance, economic development, people empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development," Christina Garcia-Frasco, mayor of Liloan, Cebu and Duterte-Carpio's spokesperson, said in a statement on November 12.
For his part, Romualdez said they have "long been inviting" Duterte-Carpio to join their party because they were all "impressed with her sterling qualities as a leader and we saw up close her exemplary work ethic as chief executive of Davao City."
"I am confident that with Mayor Sara’s exceptional brand of leadership, she can help our party chart a new course that will ensure a brighter tomorrow for our children and the next generation," he said.
Until this moment, people continued to speculate what position Duterte-Carpio will run for in the upcoming 2022 elections.
Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda said on November 10, that Duterte-Carpio will be running for president.
"There’s no VP option for her and picking a VP for her is not a problem," Salceda said in an interview on ANC's Headstart.
Sara settles for VP post
Despite leading the presidential surveys and strong clamor for her to run for president, Duterte-Carpio will be running for vice president in the upcoming elections.
Lawyer Reynold Munsayac filed before Comelec the COC on behalf of Duterte-Carpio on November 13, 2021. Duterte-Carpio will substitute Lyle Uy, who withdrew his COC for vice president under Lakas-CMD days prior.
"Nagdesisyon na akong wag tumakbong pagkapangulo ng Pilipinas (I have decided to not run for the presidency)," Duterte-Carpio said in a statement on November 14.
She said, "I have thousands of supporters who cried last October 8, and I cannot find it in my heart to make them cry again on November 15."
"After the deadline, the offer to run for vice president to meet you halfway. It's a path that would allow me to heed your call to serve our country, and make me a stronger person and public servant in the years that lie ahead. I am here to answer your call," Duterte-Carpio said.
Go guns for presidency
In what seemed to be a surprising move to some, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go arrived at the Comelec with President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
He has withdrawn his COC for vice president and will now be gunning for the presidency under the banner of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).
"Mahal ko ang aking kapwa Pilipino. Gusto ko pong magserbisyo sa kanila at pangako ko sa inyo: walang isang oras, walang minuto na masasayang. Magseserbisyo ako sa inyong lahat," Go said in a statement.
(I love my fellow Filipinos. I promise that no time will be wasted when serving you. I will serve everyone.)
Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar announced that President Duterte will be Go's running mate.
“On Monday, babalik si Presidente dito sa Comelec para mag-file for vice president. Abangan natin ang sunod na kabanata,” Andanar said on November 13.
(On Monday, the President will go back here at Comelec office to file his candidacy for vice president.)
Reactions
Barangay 8-A Edgar Ibuyan Sr., Liga ng mga Barangay-Davao City Chapter president and vice chairman for Mindanao sa Ituloy ang Pagbabago Movement (IPM) 2022, said they are happy with the mayor's decision to run for the highest position.
Although Ibuyan said that they were hopeful that she would run as a successor to her father, nonetheless, they are thankful that she listened to their call for her to run for the 2022 polls.
"OK ra man sa amoa. Although dream nato nga unta sa amo nga mudagan siya isip presidente, irespeto nato siya ug suportahan," he told SunStar Davao in a phone interview.
He said their hopes remain high that Duterte-Carpio would still change her mind, considering that there is still a day left for the substitution of candidates.
"Mintras wala pa nahuman, mag-expect gyud ta'g something diha nga naa mahitabo kay since in the beginning, we are lobbying na mudagan siya pagkapresidente,” Ibuyan said.
(As long as it is still within the deadline, we could expect that more things will happen because we have also been lobbying for her to run for the presidency in the upcoming elections.)
Ibuyan is also certain that the President will not be competing with his daughter for the vice presidency.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, who is the co-convenor of the Sara All Philippines movement, said in a statement that Saturday's turnaround was a surprise for them.
Dayanghirang said their group still respects the mayor's decision.
"Let's continue supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's plans and program in nation-building. And the passion continues to support the Duterte Administration," the councilor said.
Dayanghirang said during an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source Thursday, November 11, that Duterte-Carpio will run for the highest national post for the 2022 elections following her withdrawal for reelection for the same post.
Dayanghirang posted on the same day a photo of him meeting with the mayor at the City Hall of Davao. He said this happened after she withdrew her candidacy.
He said the mayor is still uncertain about her political decision.
"Parang nasa gitna siya ng storm. Parang malaki na unos na (She’s like in the middle of a storm wherein) she's trying to navigate between the pressure of the people, with the different big political parties, and political development," the councilor said.
Dayanghirang said the mayor initially was not interested in running for the highest position. He said this might have changed as her supporters continue to prod her to run despite already saying that she is firm on her decision to stay and finish her term as mayor in Davao City.
Pro-Duterte blogger Rey Joseph "RJ" Pengson Nieto, also known as Thinking Pinoy, posted the hashtags #FreePRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte]. He believed that the president "was kept in the dark" after the latter was not informed of his daughter running for the same position.
He is also not convinced that this is less of a political strategy and more of a “hostage” from his circles.
"Hindi magbabastusan ang Duterte family. Siguro may mga issues 'yan within each other, gano'n naman siguro lahat ng family, pero hindi ko nakikita na aabot sila sa point na magtitirahan sila, magkakalaban sila on the day of election. It has never happened in Davao," Nieto said in his live Facebook live program.
"Pero what's clear to me, based on the evidence... he was kept in the dark," he added. (RJL, RGL with SunStarPhilippines)