A DAY after the launching of a movement pushing for the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Malacañang said that they have nothing to do with the group.
“Walang pong kinalaman ang Malacañang bagama’t nirerespeto natin ang paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan na dapat maging pangulo si Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque told reporters that anybody can actually mobilize groups pushing for their particular choice for next year’s general elections but they should act in their capacity as private citizens, adding that the persons behind the movement, mostly former administration officials, have been acting on their own personal will – and that the Palace is not in any way involved in it.
“They can do it as a private citizen,” said Roque who admitted that he is also bent on running for an elective post under the administration slate.
Asked to comment over the most recent statement of Vice President Leni Robredo who cited the need for the opposition to field a singular presidential candidate to be able to win over the administration party’s standard bearer next year, Roque explicitly said: “May the opposition have a thousand candidates in 2022.”
The presidential daughter has been consistently leading pre-election surveys conducted by Pulse Asia. Interestingly, tarpaulins bearing Sara Duterte’s face continue to sprawl all over the country.