‘Honesty’ non-issue in polls? Palace: No stand, but Sara has right to own view

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is entitled to her own opinion when she said that honesty should not be an election issue, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte-Carpio told reporters on Wednesday after leading the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign rally in Parañaque City that honesty should not be an election issue because “everybody lies.”

READ: As poll bets trade barbs, Sara Duterte says ‘Everybody lies’

Sought for Malacañang’s reaction, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo distanced from the mayor’s statement.

“First, I am not a candidate. Second, it is prohibited for me to make a statement that could be construed or misconstrued as favoring or campaigning against [a candidate].So I’d rather not respond to that question,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“I’d rather not say anything about election. I’m strictly observing the prohibition under the law. And I will invoke my right against self-incrimination,” he added.

He said would have “to ask Inday exactly what she means by that.”

Inday is the nickname of Sara who is also the campaign manager of HNP.

“She might want to say that everybody gives white lies. Not the lie as in lying. That’s my understanding,” he said.

Pressed if honesty should be an election issue, Panelo refused to give Palace stand and said the younger Duterte was entiled to her own opinion.

“My answer there is she’s entitled to her opinion. It’s a free country,” he said.

Asked if honesty is important to President Rodrigo Duterte, Panelo said: “I will have to ask him that. Syempre. That’s a personal, parang kumbaga kasi baka, gaya ni mayor Sara, kay mayor Sara hindi importante for this particular election.

“I will have to ask him that, of course. That’s a personal [issue,],” he added.

The President’s official mouthpiece only reiterated Duterte’s previous statement that he wants an “honest and credible” election.

“The stand of the President’s is let’s have a credible, honest election. That is what he is saying. Credible and honest election. Honest election meaning there will no cheating during the elections. That’s the position of the President. That’s what I know ever since,” Panelo said. /kga