Sara Duterte on House speakership: Choose only the best of the best

MANILA, Philippines — The House Speakership shortlist released by the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) must be trimmed down to only the best candidates, Presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Thursday.

“Sa Kongreso masyadong mahaba yung shortlist. Iklian nila,” Duterte-Carpio told reporters in an ambush interview in Pateros, Manila.

“Maraming interested siguro gawin nilang best of the best lang yung shortlist,” she added.

PDP-Laban said ousted Speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Marinduque Rep. Allan Lord Velasco were among the frontrunners for the Speakership post, which will be vacated by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the May polls.

The ruling party’s other aspirants for the Speakership are San Juan Rep. Ronald Zamora, Cavite Reps. Alex Advincula and Bambol Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Pampanga Rep. Dong Gonzales, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres, and South Cotabato Rep. Dinanad Hernandez.

READ: PDP-Laban confident of regaining House Speakership

When asked about her opinion on Alvarez being part of the shortlist, the presidential daughter said those who were “unsuccessful” should not be placed in the list.

“Siguro yung nasubukan at ‘di naging successful wag na siguro,” Duterte-Carpio said.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously admitted that his eldest daughter “maneuvered” the ouster of Alvarez as House Speaker.

“Be careful of that woman: She can oust even a Speaker. She operated in Davao,” Duterte said in a speech in October 2018. “This is a woman. She operated in Davao as mayor, look at what happened in Congress. (Alvarez) got removed.”  /muf

READ: Palace downplays Mayor Sara’s role in Alvarez’s ouster