Sara supporters hope for ‘miracle’ she would run for president

By Claire Morales True

DAVAO CITY/MANILA – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio continues to show reluctance to running for president in the May 9, 2022 elections but her supporters likewise continue their hope that the presidential daughter will have a change of heart until November 15, the deadline for substitution of candidates.

This as Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also aired hopes for a “miracle” that Mayor Sara would run as president in 2022 along with the People’s Reform Party, the party founded by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Earlier, the Lakas-CMD party of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, chairperson emeritus, and Rep. Martin Romualdez, president, said it was willing to adopt Mayor Duterte as presidential candidate under a substitution plan.

Roque said he himself  is still undecided about running for senator in 2022 but will consider pushing through if Sara, who filed her candidacy for reelection in Davao City, changes her mind.

Roque made the remark after the People’s Reform Party (PRP) disclosed that he is among the senatorial candidates of the political party formed by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

“Unang-una po, umaasa pa rin tayo na gaya ng sinabi natin na nais natin tumakbo kasama po si Mayor Sara, ‘yan po yung pinaka importanteng konsiderasyon. (We are still hopeful that I could run together with Mayor Sara, that’s the most important consideration),” he said.

Roque acknowledged that Sara herself has dismissed substituting for other candidates, but he is still hoping that she would rethink this decision.

“Habang hindi pa po tapos ‘yung substitution marami pa rin pong umaasa. Alam ko po sinabi niya hindi na talaga, pero malay niyo naman po magkaroon ng milagro (While substitution has not ended yet, there are still those hoping. I know she said she won’t run, but a miracle could still happen),” he added.

Political parties only have until November 15 to replace their candidates for the 2022 polls.

Roque said he was also considering the huge amount of money needed to campaign for a national position.

“Ako po’y hindi anak mayaman, hindi po ako anak politiko. Napakatinding paghamon ‘yung salapi na kinakailangan para tumakbo (I was not born with rich parents and I am not the child of politicians. The amount needed to run for a national post is a huge challenge),” he added.

On October 2, Sara filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for her third and final term for mayor.

She did not give in to her supporters’ clamor for her to run for president in the 2022 polls up to the last minute of the COC filing last October 8.

Instead, it was former Philippine National Police chief, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who filed his COC for president under PDP-Laban. He is also a member of Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago party.

In a press statement, PRP vice president Rey David said Roque is expected to join former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. in the PRP Senate slate as a substitute candidate.

He said the party is also hopeful that Sara would reconsider her political decision and run for the presidency.