MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao said he was surprised by the move of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to withdraw her certificate of candidacy (COC) for reelection but wished her well on her future plans.
“I’m surprised by her decision but whatever plans that she has in the future, I wish her well,” Pacquiao said in a video statement when asked on Duterte-Carpio’s candidacy withdrawal.
The Davao City mayor’s decision further sparked speculations of a possible presidential bid.
Before this, Duterte-Carpio had insisted that she will run for Davao City mayor in 2022 as she was rumored to take on the presidency and has maintained her lead in presidential surveys.
Whether she will run for a national position in next year’s polls will be known before or on the Commission on Elections’ Nov. 15 deadline for political parties to replace or make substitutions of their candidates.
Lawmakers and several electoral aspirants have backed proposals to remove withdrawal as among the reasons to allow candidate substitution, saying this provision has been abused in the past.
RELATED STORIES
2016 ‘major substitution’ led to trend of placeholder bets, says Robredo
‘Stop the farce’ of having 2 deadlines for election bets – Rep. Rufus Rodriguez