Follow us for updates
© 2021 reportr.world
Read the Story →

Sara Duterte Jets Off to Balesin, Keeping Election Foes Guessing

Keeping up with the Duterte plot twists.
by Arianne Merez and Erwin Colcol
Just now
Photo/s: contributed photo
Shares

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio jetted to the exclusive resort island of Balesin on Thursday, leaving political allies and foes guessing what the next plot twist is after she dropped her reelection bid.

President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter had not commented on renewed calls for her to run to succeed him via a substitution route, the window for which will end on Nov. 15. For now, she'll be in Balesin to greet her ally, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, a happy birthday, said her spokesperson, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco

MORE POLITICS EXPLAINED:

#LetLeniLead, #RunSaraRun: Politics of Public Clamor, Explained

The Teleserye of Political Families in the Philippines, Explained 

I am Running for President: Why the Political Show of Force Must Go On

Her father's longtime aide, vice presidential aspirant Sen. Bong Go, quickly hinted at changes in his candidacy even as the President's daughter has yet to announce her political plans.

"Dahil sa kagustuhan ng ating mahal na Pangulo, kailangan kong umiwas. Malalaman 'nyo lang po 'yan sa darating na araw," a teary-eyed Go said in an event Tuesday.

Continue reading below ↓

Duterte-Carpio will likely run for president and was intending to do so since May, according to her ally Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, also a known Arroyo lieutenant.

Lakas-CMD earlier said two of its members who registered as presidential and vice presidential candidates could be substituted. Party president House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Lakas-CMD was ready to back Duterte-Carpio should she decide to run for higher office.

And in the week of plot twists that keeps on giving, presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao met with President Duterte late Wednesday after months of testy exchanges that divided their political party PDP-Laban.

Continue reading below ↓
Recommended Videos

Pacquiao requested the meeting and there was "no talk of politics but a renewal of friendship," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The morning of the next day, Salceda said Pacquiao would spring a "last surprise" before the deadline for candidate substitution.

Duterte-Carpio earlier fanned talk of a possible tandem with presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr when they attended a birthday party in Cebu City.

Continue reading below ↓

Until Monday, Nov. 15, Filipinos will have to wait and see who the final election candidates are for 2022.

ALSO READ:

What is Sara Duterte Up To? Presidential Aspirants React

Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
Their logistics manager weighs in.
When it's not backed by traditional assets like gold.
Teens crave sex-positive information, researchers say.
A crew member filed the suit.
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.