LOOK: Sara Duterte in Balesin for Velasco’s birthday

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio attended the birthday party of House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, one of her closest allies, amid speculations that she would be seeking a national post in next year’s elections.

Photos show Duterte-Carpio in Balesin Island with Velasco who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, November 9.

Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco, who also serves as Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson, told INQUIRER.net that the Davao City mayor went to Balesin “upon the invitation” of Velasco and was accompanied by her staff.

Social media has been abuzz that Duterte-Carpio and former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will meet this week in Balesin, just days ahead of the Nov. 15 deadline to change candidates for the May 2022 elections.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, another close ally of Duterte-Carpio, has claimed that the Davao City mayor, who chairs the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, may likely run under Macapagal-Arroyo’s Lakas-CMD.

However, Macapagal-Arroyo’s staff has denied this supposed plan for the two prominent politicians to meet.

Nonetheless, Frasco said Duterte-Carpio will also attend the wedding of the daughter of Senator Bong Revilla, who serves as the chairman of Lakas-CMD, on Thursday afternoon.

Among those expected to attend the wedding is Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER.net has yet to confirm her attendance as of posting time.

The Davao City mayor was said to be the moving force in the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the installation of Macapagal-Arroyo in his place in 2018.

/MUF