MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte had initially wanted his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for the presidency, Malacañang bared Tuesday.
But according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte-Carpio’s refusal prompted the Chief Executive to consider endorsing Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and former Senator Bongbong Marcos because of their “numbers.”
“‘Ang gusto kong tumakbo talaga si Inday Sara pero ayaw niya talaga. So kinakailangan mamili tayo who has the numbers between sa tatlo,’” Roque said in an online press briefing, recalling a previous conversation with the President.
(I really wanted Inday Sara to run but she does not want to. We have to choose who has the numbers among the three.)
“Ang unang unang sinabi niya, Senator Manny Pacquiao, pangalawa Isko Moreno, pangatlo, former senator Bongbong Marcos,” he went on.
(The first name he mentioned was Senator Manny Pacquiao, second was Isko Moreno and third was former senator Bongbong Marcos.)
READ: Duterte names choices to endorse as next president: Sara, Isko, Pacquiao, Bongbong, Go – Palace
Roque also mentioned the President’s former close aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who has said he would only vie for the presidency if Duterte runs as his vice president.
When asked which incident happened first — Duterte wanting his daughter to run, or warning her against vying for the top post, Roque answered the former.
“Consistent naman siya (Duterte) e. Sinabi niya talaga na ang gusto nating tumakbo si Mayor Sara pero ayaw ni Mayor Sara,” Roque said.
(He is consistent. He really said we want Mayor Sara to run but Mayor Sara refused.)
However, Duterte, in several circumstances, insisted that he does not want his daughter to run for the presidency and even said it was no job for a woman.