As far as President Rodrigo Duterte is concerned, his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio will run to succeed him even as the Davao mayor filed for reelection in their hometown, his spokesperson said Monday.
Duterte on Saturday surprised the public when he backed out of his plans to run for vice president, endorsing instead the candidacy of his longtime aide Sen. Bong Go. On the same day, Duterte-Carpio also filed her candidacy for reelection as Davao City mayor.
While Go filed his candidacy without a running mate, the President later said it would be a "Sara-Go" tandem. So how will a Mayor Duterte-Carpio run for president? All certificates of candidacy can still be withdrawn, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
"As far as the president is concerned he thinks it will be a Sara-Go tandem but that is as far as the president is concerned. Now, alam ko po na nag-file naman siya ng certificate of candidacy but all lawyers know that all certificates of candidacy can be withdrawn," Roque told reporters.
It's the same strategy employed by President Duterte in the 2016 elections, when he filed his candidacy for president as a substitute candidate.
Duterte-Carpio has yet to comment on the President's remarks. A frontrunner in presidential surveys, she earlier said that only one Duterte could run for a national post.
And with her father announcing his retirement from politics, it remains to be seen whether a Duterte would seek a national post next year.
WHAT WENT BEFORE:
Duterte Floats Sara for President, Bong Go for VP
Sara Duterte Seeks Reelection as Davao Mayor as Father Announces Retirement
Duterte to Retire from Politics, Saying It's the 'Will of the People'
Plot Twist? Bong Go is Running for Vice President
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