A movement has launched with a call for the daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to run for president in the 2022 national election.
The Duterte Parin Movement officially came out in Manila on May 25, urging Sara Duterte-Carpio to continue the legacy of her father.
“Six more years” was the collective cry of the movement.
“Duterte is not just a name but a brand of good governance,” secretary general Juniño Padilla said.
Padilla said that the Duterte brand is the “gold standard” of governance in the Philippines.
The Duterte Parin Movement introduced their elected officers headed by secretary general Padilla, overall deputy secretary general Jose Antonio Goitia, deputy secretary generals Melvin Mitra (sectoral and special concerns commissioner), Butch Evangelista (political affairs), Larmaine Barretto (communications), Alvin Constantino (civil affairs and social services acting representative), Tony Mamac (Central and Northern Luzon), 2nd deputy secretary general for Northern Luzon Antony Pineda Arellano, deputy secretary generals Tony Chavez (Southern Luzon) and Jethro Costales (Mimaropa), deputy legal attorney Trixie Angeles, Paolo Fortunato of NCR and Bulacan and Pia Morato (representative of Quezon City mayor).
Malacanang on May 26 denied that the Duterte administration was behind the movement rooting for Duterte-Carpio, who is the mayor of Davao City.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the statement after the supporters of Duterte-Carpio launched the Duterte Parin Movement to encourage her to run for the 2022 presidency.
“Unang-una po dating opisyales po ‘yan ng PCOO. Ibig sabihin pribadong individual na po siya (First of all, the one who is behind the movement was a former official of the PCOO [Presidential Communications Operations Office]. So it means that he or she is now a private individual),” Roque said during a virtual press briefing.
“Wala pong kinalaman diyan ang Malacañang bagama’t nirerespeto namin ‘yung paninindigan ng maraming nating mga kababayan na dapat ang magiging susunod na presidente ay si Mayor Sara Duterte (Malacañang had no hand in such movement, though we respect the stance of our fellow countrymen that Mayor Sara Duterte is the ideal person to be the country’s next president),” he added.
Duterte-Carpio, 42, who succeeded Duterte as mayor of Davao City, came on top of a recent opinion poll that asked the public to choose a preferred candidate from a list of possible contenders for the 2022 elections.
Two other women, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Sen. Mary Grace Poe, were hypothetical contenders.
Ahead of the 2022 elections, various groups are calling for the President Duterte to seek the vice presidency and team up with either his daughter or his former long-time aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
But the President has repeatedly mentioned his intent on stepping down after his term since he is not aspiring to become “a politician forever.”
Presidents in the Philippines are allowed only one, six-year term in office.
“Run, Sara, Run” has become a popular campaign slogan to persuade Duterte-Carpio to succeed her father in next year’s election.
Skeptics are quick to remind that Duterte-Carpio’s father also played coy prior to 2016 elections.
Duterte initially ran for re-election as mayor of Davao City, allowing the clamor for him to shoot for the presidency to mount.
After a month, he stood in for a little-known party mate who conveniently backed out of the presidential race, and embarked on a barnstorming run at the presidency.
Duterte has remained hugely popular in the Philippines even as his term is set to end soon.
Duterte Carpio, often called Inday Sara, is a 42-year-old mother of three kids.
Like Duterte, Duterte-Carpio Sara is a lawyer, rides motorbikes and comes across as a humble but tough politician.
She has also formed her own regional party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (Alliance for Change).
