The presidency should not be something that is "inherited," Manila Mayor Isko Moreno told CNN Philippines on Friday, describing his remark as a "general statement" ahead of the filing of candidacies in three months.
Moreno said he wasn't referring to anybody, not even Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter who is leading in the surveys.
The Manila mayor was asked about Presidential Spokesperon Harry Roque's statement on Thursday that he and Duterte-Carpio were among the incumbent's "options" for a successor, alongside Sen. Bong Go and Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Moreno said he was thankful to be considered in any list for possible presidential candidates in 2022.
"Basta hindi ako boboto ng nagmamana lang ng puwesto kasi ang puwesto hindi minamana, hindi nililipat-lipat. Let democracy run its natural course," Moreno said.
Asked if he was referring to anyone, Moreno said: "Wala. Sino ba ang kandidato?"
Pressed if he was referring to Duterte-Carpio, he said: "Wala naman kandidato pa ngayon e, pero wala akong tinutukoy. It's a general statement." he said.
"For whatever it is, when it is official, di ako naniniwala na ang pwesto sa gobyerno lalo na ang pinakamataas na pwesto, ang kwalipikasyon mo kailangan anak ka ni ganito, anak ka ni ganyan, hindi ako naniniwala doon," he said.
"I will not vote for that person whoever they are," he said. Check out that portion of the interview towards the end of Pinky Webb's "The Source".
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Second generation presidents
Philippine politics is dynastic and two former presidents -- Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are children of former presidents.
However, only Duterte-Carpio would be the immediate successor to an incumbent parent should she run and win in 2022. Despite leading in surveys, the Davao City mayor had repeatedly said that she would focus on her work.
Earlier this week, a group within Duterte's PDP-Laban Party came up with a resolution urging him to run for vice president since he is ineligible for reelection. When the elder Duterte's term limit was up when he was Davao City mayor, he slid to vice mayor with Duterte-Carpio as mayor.
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On Friday, "Gibo" and "PNoy" were trending topics on Twitter, with users debating on whether or not political dynasties are bad.
Gibo is ex-defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who visited Duterte-Carpio in Davao City Thursday. His ally, ex-congressman Rolando Andaya Jr. teased the meeting as the beginnings of a Sara-Gibo ticket in 2022.
PNoy is Aquino, Duterte's predecessor, who was elected in 2010 largely due to the outpouring of public sympathy over the death of his mother, democracy icon Cory Aquino in August 2009.
