FOR the nth time, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, isn’t running for president next year.
“Inday Sara is not running. I have really, really put my foot down. Naawa ako sa anak (ko). Ang pulitika nito, kabababuyan,” an exasperated Duterte said in reaction to Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel, who asked him to allow Sara to run for President along with his longtime aide, now Senator Bong Go as her running-mate.
Citing the need for what he aptly referred to as “continuity,” Pimentel said:
“Ang request po namin, may continuity. Dapat isa sa administration ang ko-continue ng lahat ng ginawa niyo po, lahat ng achievements. Kasi baka pagka ibang presidente, tanggalin lahat yan. Papaano na kami? Kailangan may continuity. Kailangan kumbinsihin natin si Inday Sara o Senator Bong Go.”
Interestingly, Duterte didn’t seem opposed to the idea of Go [who has earlier denied a rumored Palace bid] running for higher public office in the 2022 presidential election.
Interestingly, Duterte never missed the chance to take a swipe against his most vocal critic — former Senator Antonio Trillianes III.
“Be careful of Trillanes. Be careful of Trillanes. magbantay kayo. He will sell you to the devil. Pag yan ang naka upo? Patay. Walang hiya ‘yan, sa totoo lang,” he said.