Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Supporters and close relatives of the late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago have disowned the decision of the People’s Reform Party (PRP) to support the possible bid for the presidency of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in 2022.
According to the Youth Reform Movement Inc. — one of the youth groups that volunteered for Defensor-Santiago’s bid for the presidency in the 2016 polls — implied that it is incumbent on young people to continue Santiago’s advocacies if her party “has decided otherwise.”
“Miriam Palma Defensor has made it known that the rightful heirs to take on her torch of leadership are the Filipino people and most especially, its youth — the legitimate hope for national reform,” Youth Reform Movement secretary-general Julius Romel Fernandez said.
“[Defensor] served the nation by challenging the political dynasties, the federalist agenda, the premature campaigns, China’s actions affecting sovereign nations, and the mockery of the letter and the spirit of the law, among others. It is for us the youth to continue her crusade if the political party she founded has decided otherwise,” he added.
Fernandez also asked whether Defensor-Santiago’s allies who also support Duterte-Carpio would be able to sleep soundly if the late senator could only air her sentiments.
“The dead cannot talk, but if it did, will we be able to sleep soundly tonight?” he asked.
Prior to the group’s statement, a Facebook account supposedly belonging to Defensor-Santiago’s younger sister Paula Knack Defensor questioned what Duterte-Carpio would “reform” if she goes with PRP.
“Sara in PRP? Who will she reform — her father? Her family? Bong Go? Peter Lim? Druglords? Or will she kill some more?” she asked.
The younger Defensor also shared a statement from her fellow PRP founding members that questioned whether the party really is supporting Duterte-Carpio. She also added that the PRP is already a ghost party — because the office is empty and regional organizers have already left.
“The PRP office is empty. The regional organizers have left and will never campaign for Sara. The Duterte administration is the exact opposite of the ideals of the party — to institute reforms in government and fight graft and corruption,” the statement read.
“When Duterte and (presidential spokesperson Harry) Roque announced their affiliation with PRP, Sen. Miriam has just died. Founding officials never saw them help organize or appear in any PRP event. If they will side with those charged before the ICC, reform a government pa?” they asked.
PRP, a party founded by Defensor-Santiago, backed her during her campaigns to be president in the 1992 and 2016 polls, and also for her Senate bids.
Earlier, PRP which is now chaired by Defensor-Santiago’s husband lawyer Narciso Santiago, said the party believes Duterte-Carpio can continue the late senator’s advocacies and principles.
Santiago, known for her feistiness in the Senate — and later on, for her witty lines — faced off in the 2016 presidential race against Duterte-Carpio’s father, Rodrigo Duterte who was then the mayor of Davao City.
During the announcement, Narciso Santiago was accompanied by other PRP members, including Roque, another personality who also pushed for Duterte-Carpio to run.
READ: Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s PRP backs Sara Duterte’s potential presidential run
President Duterte had repeatedly insisted that he does not want his daughter to run for president, as he wants her to avoid suffering the same fate that he went through. However, Duterte’s allies are pushing for Duterte-Carpio’s bid for the presidency.
READ: Duterte to daughter Sara: Don’t commit mistake of running for president
READ: ‘I see nobody who is deserving,’ Duterte says of possible successor
READ: Sara Duterte, Bongbong Marcos, Grace Poe lead Pulse Asia’s 2022 presidential survey