DAVAO CITY – The daughter of city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said she does not want her father to seek the presidency, but yields to what she describes as the mayor’s personal choice.
“I have said in public that it is better if he will not run for President because of his age but it depends on his personal choice, no one can force you to run,” said former Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The former, and first woman mayor became popular because she punched a court sheriff in public for failing to grant her request to delay the demolition of shanties of informal settlers in Agdao, Davao City in 2011.
She said she thanks the older Duterte’s supporters for their “trust and confidence” for the older Duterte’s presidential bid but jested “definitely his (Duterte’s) age will not change.”
A caravan of those coming from as far as Manila and other parts of Luzon and who supported calls for Duterte’s bid for the presidency recently held a program in Davao City to convince him to run.
Organizers estimate those who gathered at a maximum of 10,000 people. Duterte has also been going around key cities and provinces in the country which according to him to advocate federalism.
During the event, Duterte said he will “need more time to convince my family”, especially Duterte-Carpio.
Duterte-Carpio also said they have not talked of any particular political plans yet, but she and his brother Vice-Mayor Paolo Duterte agreed that they “will not run in the same position.”
“If he (Paolo Duterte) will run for mayor I will not run for mayor, if he will run for vice-mayor, I will not run for vice-mayor. Our only agreement is that we will not fight because of politics,” she said.
As to rumors that his younger brother Sebastian Duterte will run for Congress, Duterte-Carpio said “he (Sebastian) did not talk to me yet about his plans to enter politics.”
Duter-Carpio, however, said Sebastian is registered in Davao City’s third district.
Asked by a reporter if she would be the first lady should her father win in the presidency, Duterte –Carpio jested “yes, of course!” (With reports from Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
