This December 30, 2019, shows President Rodrigo Duterte and daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the commemoration of the 123rd Anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Davao City. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday claimed it could not be called political dynasty should Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio decides to throw her hat for president in the 2022 national elections, considering her father, President Rodrigo Duterte had made known his wishes for his daughter not to run.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this amid criticism that the succession for presidency by another Duterte reeks of political dynasty.
“They are relatives, but a dynasty is perpetration of the same family by choice or because of a willful decision,” Roque said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.
He said that going by the President’s words, there was clearly no intent to perpetuate their family in the seat of power.
“If Mayor Sara runs, it will be against the wishes of her father, and I don’t call this a dynasty because clearly, the President (said), ‘I don’t want the mess of the presidency on my family.’ But if so decides then it’s up to the electorate. And I don’t think we can accuse the Duterte family of perpetuating themselves in power, because the President has made it clear, ‘I don’t want the presidency for Mayor Sara’,” he added.
Ultimately, it will be the Filipino people who will determine the presidency, said Roque.
“I know the arguments against dynasties, but this is a different dynasty, because the father is telling the daughter not to run,” Roque said.
In January this year, Duterte said that his daughter is not running for president, reiterating that he had cautioned the Davao City mayor against seeking the presidency.
However, the presidential daughter’s name recently floated as a possible candidate for the president’s post in the 2022 elections after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said that there is “no doubt” in his mind Duterte-Carpio will run for the highest government post in the national elections next year.