Sara’s withdrawal from Davao City mayoral race ‘sounds familiar’ — Hontiveros 

MANILA, Philippines — The withdrawal of Sara Duterte-Carpio from the Davao City mayoral race to possibly seek a higher office appears to be “Part 2” of what her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, pulled off in 2016, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday.

Hontiveros said that Duterte-Carpio’s recent move “certainly sounds familiar” and “feels familiar.”

“Parang part two ng ginawa ni Presidente noong 2016 so all denials notwithstanding, abangan ang susunod na kabanata hanggang sa Lunes because 15th November, deadline for substitution, that is the moment of truth not only for her but for all of us,” Hontiveros said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

(It’s like a part two of what the President did in 2016 so all denials notwithstanding, let’s just wait for the next chapter until Monday because November 15 is the deadline for substitution, that is the moment of truth not only for her but for all of us.)

Hontiveros said she supports bills currently pending before the Senate seeking to amend the substitution rule during elections allowing political parties to replace their initial candidates.

“Palagay ko panahon na na i-review na ang probisyon na yun so that we will see less of the kind of scenarios that are materializing these days. Less of this kind of drama,” Hontiveros said.

(I believe it is now time to review that provision so that we will see less of the kind of scenarios that are materializing these days. Less of this kind of drama.)

“Kung maisulong nga natin yung isang Omnibus Election Code that is more supportive of behavior on the part of all of us candidates, developing a genuine political party system, supporters,” the senator added.

(If we can push for an Omnibus Election Code that is more supportive of behavior on the part of all of us candidates, developing a genuine political party system, supporting the emergence of more real political parties, then that would be a scene that would prevent these kinds of maneuvers.)

Duterte-Carpio recently withdrew her reelection bid, fueling talks that she would instead vie for the presidency or vice presidency.

In the 2016 elections, her father, now President Duterte, said he would not run for president.

He, however, later withdrew his candidacy for reelection as Davao City mayor and instead joined the presidential race as a last-minute substitute for Martin Diño, who was the standard-bearer of the PDP-Laban party at that time.

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