Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is tough and decisive, according to Hugpong Para kay Sara (HPS) secretary-general Bernadette Herrera. /Photo courtesy of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines — The decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for the presidency in next year’s elections will be her own and will not be based on the desires of other people or political parties, her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) said Thursday.
This is after Duterte-Carpio revealed having received letters endorsed by her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, that she should either endorse the tandem of Senator Bong Go and the President or team up with Go as her vice president should she run for president.
“Notwithstanding her unconditional love for her father, our Chairperson, Mayor Sara, reiterated once again to HNP that she will make her own decision on the matter of her run for the presidency at her own time,” HNP Secretary-General Anthony del Rosario said in a statement.
“She likewise informed HNP that her decision on the matter will be her own, and will never be based on what other people or other political parties want, do or say,” he added.
The HNP said the Davao City mayor is taking her time in making her decision since she knows that running for the presidency is “something that should never be taken lightly.”
Duterte-Carpio earlier challenged her father and Senator Go to “own up publicly” their decision to run as a tandem.
Further, the HNP asked the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), to refrain from involving Duterte-Carpio in their future plans.
“She has already said on numerous occasions that she will remain to be a member of HNP and thus, has no plans of joining another party,” Del Rosario said.
Duterte-Carpio earlier rebuked the “sad state” of the PDP-Laban, refusing to be faulted for the “sitcom” that the ruling political party “has been reduced to.”
She blasted alleged efforts to blame her for the infighting in PDP-Laban, particularly calling out Pimentel as well as party executive director Ronwald Munsayac.
The HNP said it respects and firmly stands by the Davao City mayor’s decision to “carefully study and analyze” her plans for 2022.
“We urge all supporters to likewise respect her process. Rest assured that whatever her final decision may be, the welfare of our kababayans will be of her utmost concern,” Del Rosario added.