Sara Duterte: Running for VP allows me to heed calls to serve PH

MANILA, Philippines — Vice presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday said that running for vice president allowed her to heed to the people’s call to serve the country.

“Nag-desisyon na ako na huwag tumakbong pagkapangulo ng Pilipinas. Subalit, wala pa ring humpay ay inyong mga panawagan kahit na pagkalipas ng ika-walo ng Oktubre,” she said in a video message posted on her Facebook page.

(I had decided to not run for president. However, your calls for me to run even after October 8 still continued.)

October 8 was the last day of the certificate of candidacy filing.

“After the deadline, the offer to run for vice president became an opportunity to meet you halfway. It’s a path that would allow me to heed your call to serve our country and make me a stronger person and public servant in the years that lie ahead,” she added, noting that she had thousands of supporters who cried on October 8.

“I am here to answer your call. I appeal to all supporters to stay calm,” she went on.

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio told her supporters to let the issues of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) be resolved within their party.

“The problems of PDP are their own. Let them resolve the issues within their party. This is all politics and this will not matter in the years to come or even now,” she said.

PDP-Laban was divided into two factions — one led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and one headed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The rift began when Senator Manny Pacquiao, under the Pimentel wing, challenged Duterte on his stance on maritime issues with China and his record in eradicating corruption.

According to Duterte-Carpio, the government must concentrate on the country’s recovery and the people’s welfare.

“What we need to focus on is the country’s recovery and the people’s welfare. So, let us be circumspect and stay the course. Focus on forging relationships to unite for the good of our country,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio filed her COC for vice president on Saturday.

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