A DAY before the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio insisted that there can only be one Duterte who should be running for the two highest national post next year.
Duterte-Carpio made the statement on Thursday afternoon, September 30, during the oathtaking of Davao del Norte members of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Carmen.
The mayor, who is the party’s chairperson, led the oathtaking of the officials virtually from her office in Davao City.
During her speech, the mayor thanked the party members for their commitment in supporting the administration of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, which is the aim of the party.
She reiterated that she won’t be running for the presidency despite the calls of her party mates and supporters.
"Dili siya pwede tungod mao ni duha na pinakataas na posisyon sa nasod -- mao ang president ug vice president. OK ra unta kung ang position dili president og vice president. Pananglitan, muingon ta president ug senador, president ug congressnman, dili na siya kinahanglan istoryahan ug sabutan (We cannot run together for the country’s two highest elective posts -- president and vice president. It would have been okay if, for example, one will run for presidency while the other will run as a senator; or president and congressman. Those won’t need to be discussed),” Duterte-Carpio said.
The mayor reiterated that she will run for reelection as mayor of Davao City in the upcoming 2022 elections.
The presidential daughter explained why her father wants to run for vice-president.
"Tungod kay si President Duterte, gusto niya siya mismo muhangyo sa umaabot na presidente nga ipadayon iyahang nasugdan sa iyahang administrasyon (President Duterte wants to be the one to appeal to the incoming president to continue what his administration started),” she said.
Duterte-Carpio said that she is still young, and she has more years to serve the city and the country.
She also thanked her party mates for supporting her reelection bid.
She also thanked the some 700 parallel groups lobbying her to run for the presidency for their trust and confidence.
The mayor also shared the achievements of her father’s administration, particularly the “Build, Build, Build” program, which is the government’s flagship program on infrastructure.
Duterte-Carpio also encouraged the officials to continuously campaign the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program.
"Maong ginaawhag tamo tanan as leaders of your communities nga ikampanya ang pagpabakuna sa mga tao (That is why I am encouraging all leaders of your communities to campaign for vaccination among your constituents),” the mayor said.
Duterte-Carpio also emphasized the linkage between Davao City and Davao del Norte in the exchange of people, goods, and business.
The mayor has not mentioned when she will be filing her COC, which will be from October 1 to 8.
She already announced that she will be on leave from October 5 to 8, as she will have an important trip outside the country.
Based on the Pulse Asia survey on Wednesday, September 29, Duterte-Carpio remains the top preferred candidate for the presidency. The mayor had also topped various electoral surveys.