NO COMMENT. Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte remains mum on the possibility of running for president in the 2022 polls. She declined to comment on the statement of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda Wednesday night (June 2, 2021) that she would run in next year's presidential race. (Photo courtesy of City Information Office)
DAVAO CITY – Despite the confirmation of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda on Wednesday night that Mayor Sara Z. Duterte will run for president in the 2022 polls, the presidential daughter is mum on the possibility of joining next year's presidential race.
“No comment,” Duterte said in a Viber message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.
In his interview at One PH, Salceda said he has been in touch with the presidential daughter and affirmed that based on their exchange of text messages, it was clear that the Davao City mayor would run.
“Marami akong exchange of texts with her and I can tell you that she is really running,” he said, adding that he sought Duterte’s permission if he could already reveal her plans for 2022 to the media, but was told that he might be defending “somebody who is not yet a candidate.”
“There is no other way of interpreting it. Isang basa ko lang ng mga chat, talagang she is running. And my sources say that there are alliances being formed for her candidacy in 2022."
In February this year, Duterte reiterated that she was not interested in running in next year's presidential elections.
When asked in a previous radio interview on the chances that her decision may change at some future time, Mayor Sara responded: "For now, no."
“There’s no chance that I would change my mind. What's my reason (to seek the presidency)? I do not want to enumerate the reasons because there’s a lot. I just don’t want to offend or hurt anybody,” she said.
Mayor Sara said she understands why people are speculating over her potential candidacy to the highest office in the land, attributing it to her "not giving any reasons."
She is even uncomfortable about "Run Sara, Run" billboards and streamers posted in various parts of the country.
Duterte, however, thanked the individuals behind the "Run Sara, Run" campaign for their trust and support.
She topped early surveys on presidential bets.
President Rodrigo Duterte, on the other hand, earlier cautioned his daughter against running for the highest position in the country saying it was "not a woman's job." (PNA)
