FILE PHOTO: Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in 2018. ArJOY M. CENIZA
MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio denied on Saturday supposed talks on the use of an airplane to transport her campaign materials, saying that, in the first place, “I have never told anyone that I am running for President” in the coming elections.
“This is about a video circulating on social media showing three men at the Davao International Airport talking about a meeting with me and the use of an airplane for campaign materials,” Duterte-Carpio said in a statement.
“The public is advised that I have never told anyone that I am running for President and I have not conducted any meeting about the use of a plane for my campaign materials,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio likewise said she does not know the three men in the video. Two of the men identified themselves as officers of the Ituloy Ang Pagbabago Movement (IPM).
“I am not a member of and not privy to IPM activities,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio then cautioned her supporters against individuals or groups using her name “in their personal transactions,” saying she does not tolerate such practices.
“I sternly warn supporters about using my name in their personal transactions. I have already successfully pursued a case for name dropping, and recently supported a case against an organized crime group of money scammers who used my name in their fraudulent activities,” she said.
“I do not tolerate these activities and I do not hesitate to pursue legal action against those who besmirched my reputation even if they are supporters,” she added.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter is being rumored to be eyeing the presidency in the 2022 polls.
She has yet to announce her final political plans for next year but previously expressed openness to run for president and succeed her father.
Recent surveys have shown her leading a list of other possible candidates for president in the 2022 national elections.