MANILA, Philippines — The possible last-minute inclusion of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio into the presidential race is something that the opposition expected and was preparing for, Senator Francis Pangilinan said on Wednesday.
According to Pangilinan, Duterte-Carpio’s possible candidacy is no longer a surprise, noting that substitution through the window allowed by the Commission on Elections was the same strategy employed by her father, incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Davao mayor has not yet announced any plans, but her withdrawal from the mayoral race and the statements of her friend, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda — who said that Duterte-Carpio will run for president — stirred discussions about substitution scenarios.
“Expected na ‘yan, ginawa na nila ‘yan no’ng 2016, sinasabing substitution. So inuulit lang nila ‘yong script ‘ika nga, so it’s no longer a surprise,” Pangilinan said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
(We expected it, it’s the same thing they did in 2016, they used the substitution. So they are just repeating their script, so it’s no longer a surprise.)
“Well we expected it, kaya yeah, of course, we are prepared, we are prepared to go through this until the very end, and we are thankful sa so much support na lumalabas (that are outpouring) from the kakampinks and mga ka-tropa,” he added.
Asked if they plan to employ a substitution scenario of their own — that is, formulating alliances including the failed unity talks initiated by his running mate in Vice President Leni Robredo — Pangilinan said that they would stick with their tandem until the end.
Robredo is running for president while Pangilinan is aiming for the vice presidency in the 2022 national elections.
“Wala, ‘yong mga substitution? Wala na ‘yon, inumpisahan na natin ito and we can see the massive outpouring of support, we owe it to our supporters really, to do as best we can and fight until the very end para maipanalo natin ang kandidatura,” he explained.
(The substitution scenario for us? That’s finished, we started this fight and we have seen the massive outpouring of support, we owe it to our supporters really, to do as best we can and fight until the very end so that we will be successful in our candidacy.)
“Well, nag-collapse na nga ‘yong talks, so I don’t see the talks being pursued. So we would just have to focus on our campaign, in convincing our voters that the Vice President Robredo has what it takes to address what has not been addressed properly — ‘yong COVID response and ‘yong ating economic recovery,” he added.
(Well, the talks have already collapsed, so I don’t see the talks being pursued. So we would just have to focus on our campaign, in convincing our voters that the Vice President Robredo has what it takes to address what has not been addressed properly — the COVID response and our economic recovery.)
Even if Duterte-Carpio did not file her certificate of candidacy (COC) before the deadline last October 8, her name was still being considered by several political experts as another presidential candidate in Senator Ronald dela Rosa — a close ally of the Dutertes and a former national police chief — remained open to giving way for the local chief executive.
After filing his COC, Dela Rosa, who was also Davao City police head before, said it would be better if Duterte-Carpio runs in his stead.
READ: What if Sara Duterte substitutes for dela Rosa? ‘Mas maganda,’ Bato says
READ: Bato: Intention to run for president at 100%, but Inday Sara ‘most winnable’
Then on Tuesday, an emotional Senator Bong Go, who is the administration’s vice presidential candidate, said that there may be changes in his election plans.
READ: Go hints at possible ‘changes’ in 2022 VP bid
All the rumors center on Duterte-Carpio making a bid for a national post. However, Salceda said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel earlier that the Davao Mayor would only consider a presidential candidacy, with the vice presidential bid being out of the picture.
READ: Sara will likely run for president, no VP option for her — Salceda
Duterte-Carpio has been ranking high in presidential race surveys, with Pulse Asia’s mock poll last September having her as the top contender.
However, Pangilinan said earlier that they are not bothered with low survey rankings, as election history in the country showed that frontrunners do not win in the elections.
READ: Pulse Asia: Sara Duterte top pick for president, Sotto leads VP polls
READ: Pangilinan downplays ‘reality’ of low survey rankings