Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s possible presidential run in 2022 could be a reason why her endorsement matters in the search for the next House Speaker.
House minority leader Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez shared this belief when asked why he thought the endorsement of the presidential daughter mattered in the House speakership given that she was not even a member of Congress.
“They’re looking at her as a possible contender in 2022,” Suarez said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday.
“Plus, she’s a very nice person,” he added.
“She speaks from her heart at hindi siya nagpapaligoy-ligoy,” the Minority Leader said, recalling the time they first met in Davao City. “Mula noon naging kaibigan ko na si Mayor,” he added.
Duterte-Carpio is seen to succeed her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, in the presidential elections in 2022.
The presidential daughter has not ruled out running for president.
“It depends on the circumstances. Maybe we can make a deadline in January 2021,” she previously told reporters in an interview.
READ: Sara Duterte to decide on presidential bid by 2021
She told INQUIRER.net that she had “not started to think about it.”
“Prioritize what needs to be done in Davao,” she said.
READ: Sara Duterte: Midterm polls not a preview of 2022 elections
Without belittling the endorsement of either the President or his daughter, Suarez stressed that the more “pressing issue” should be the capability of the next House leader to “confront the present problem of the country.”
READ: Solons list next Speaker qualities
“Factor na rin yung endorsement because it’s a working relationship with the Palace whoever becomes the Speaker. Pero kung ako, ang titignan ko dun, among the contenders, sino ba ang makakatulong sa adminsitrasyon sa pagtulong sa maseselang issue katulad ng poverty, unemployment, peace and order, dami nating problema eh,” Suarez said. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)