Sara Duterte Says Bong Go, Not Imee Marcos, Asked to be Her VP

(UPDATE) Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Senators Bong Go and Sherwin Gatchalian, not Imee Marcos, who approached her asking to be her vice presidential running mate in the 2022 elections.

Duterte-Carpio said Imee and brother, ex-senator Bongbong Marcos, visited her in Davao City for her birthday. President Rodrigo Duterte said late on Monday that Imee met with his daughter over the possibility of a Sara-Imee ticket.

"I can confirm the people who have personally expressed their offer to run as my vice president: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Senator Bong Go. The proposal was made known through common friends: FSND (former secretary of national defense) Gilbert Teodoro Jr.," she said.

Duterte-Carpio also said that there were groups wanting her to form a tandem with House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Sen. Sonny Angara.

In response, Go admitted his intention to become the running mate of Duterte-Carpio should she run for president in the 2022 elections.

"When I learned that there were some aspirants who wish to be Mayor Sara’s VP in case she runs for the presidency, I expressed my willingness to be considered in her list of choices, nagpalista lang din ako gaya ng iba," he said.

"I hope that my experience in the past two national elections and in serving her father for more than two decades can help her reach her goals for our country, regardless of what role I will take (whether as VP candidate or campaigner)," he added.

Angara, for his part, said he has no plans about running for vice president as he is focused on his work as a senator.

"But as I’ve said before, it’s an honor to even be mentioned for these positions, malaking karangalan na mabanggit lang dito sa usap usapan na ito," he said.

Gatchalian earlier disclosed that he signified to Duterte-Carpio his intention to run for vice president under her party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, adding that he would not pursue such plan if not in tandem with the Davao City Mayor.

Romualdez said while he was keeping his options "open," including running for vice president, it would not be good decision to run against President Rodrigo Duterte. The 76-year-old leader earlier confirmed his plan to seek the vice presidency next year.

Imee earlier said that Bongbong was preparing for a possible presidential run in 2022. He is also open to run for other positions, she said.