Sara Duterte’s fellow VP aspirants ‘not surprised’ by her run

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. (Photo from Facebook page of the Davao City government)

MANILA, Philippines — The decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for the vice presidency in the upcoming elections came as no surprise to some of her fellow aspirants.

Duterte-Carpio filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president under Lakas-CMD on Saturday, ending speculations on her political plans after quitting her reelection bid and her regional party.

READ: Sara Duterte files COC for vice president under Lakas-CMD

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Rep. Lito Atienza said they were not surprised with the latest development involving the president’s daughter.

“We expected the last-minute substitution and there probably may be a few more,” Pangilinan told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“When we filed our candidacy as VP Leni [Robredo’s] running mate we did so believing she is the best and most qualified candidate for the presidency regardless of who we would go up against. So whoever else files, we will simply continue to focus on our campaign preparations,” Pangilinan added.

Atienza was unfazed Duterte-Carpio’s move.

“I am not in any way daunted by her decision to run as vice president. Of course, the Marcos and Duterte families are very, very powerful, politically and financially. But Manny and I, my president and I, are used to fighting giants,” Atienza told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

Asked if this development would affect their campaign, Atienza said: “I think it will even be for the better. People will now have a clear choice: If you want to go back, really, to Marcos and Duterte — they belong to the past and the status quo — vote for them. But if you want change, genuine change for the nation, it’s Pacquiao and Atienza who can offer [that to] you.”

“I believe that the people are sick and tired of the problems of past and present leadership, and they will really go for change,” he continued.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said he and his running mate Sen. Panfilo Lacson were focused on their own campaign.

“Same as before, we are focused on our governance — our program and platform for good governance. It doesn’t matter to us who else is running,” Sotto told reporters.

ATM