BIGGER VEHICLE Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte takes her oath as a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats at the Revilla Farm in Silang, Cavite, on Thursday. Administering the oath is House Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD President Martin Romualdez (left), with Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the party’s chair, as witness. —Photo from the Office of Majority Leader Martin Romualdez
MANILA, Philippines — The national position that Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio will be vying for will most likely be known over the weekend, House Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD president Martin Romualdez said Friday.
Romualdez disclosed this after Duterte-Carpio joined the Lakas-CMD party on Thursday night just hours after leaving her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), fueling talks that the Davao City mayor would seek the presidency or the vice presidency.
“Well, as I said, as of yesterday, she has formally been admitted as a member of Lakas. The position that she will run for will be known most likely within the weekend,” Romualdez said in an interview with reporters.
“A bit of patience as we make preparations and consultations with Mayor Inday Sara and the party leadership,” he added.
Political parties have until November 15, Monday, to replace the candidates they initially fielded. In the case of Lakas CMD, it has fielded its executive director Anna Capela Velasco and member Lyle Fernando Uy as presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Duterte-Carpio, who has consistently been at the top of presidential surveys, initially insisted that would not vie for a national post.
However, her move to withdraw her certificate of candidacy (COC) for Davao City mayor once again sparked speculations that she would vie for a national post, particularly the presidency or vice presidency.
Duterte-Carpio has remained silent about her plans since withdrawing her reelection bid as Davao City mayor.