Davao mayor seen running for president
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The eldest daughter was the one opposing his presidential bid.
Now, with Sara Duterte shaving her head and displaying it using certain hashtags indicating she has changed her mind, her father, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is seen to run for president in the May 2016 elections.
Sara, the city’s former mayor, used the hashtags “#Duterte2016,” “#kalboparasapagbabago” and “#justDUit” in showing her shaven head on Instagram.
At least eight city councilors were also set to have their heads shaved in a local barbershop at 5 p.m. yesterday.
Observers said Sara appeared to have changed her mind on her father’s seeking the presidency.
Supporters of Duterte have said the mayor may announce his presidential bid today.
“Do not run for president. You don’t owe anything to anybody, and you’ve done more than enough for your country,” Sara said in an earlier letter to her father.
Duterte has repeatedly said that he would not run for president and hinted that his family, particularly his daughter Sara, would oppose any intention he had to run for president.
Duterte also said that should Sara agree to run for mayor, he would retire from politics because the presidency was not his destiny. He was only destined to serve Davao City which he had done so for 38 years.
Chiz: Duterte a force to reckon with
Vice presidential candidate and Sen. Francis Escudero admitted yesterday that Duterte is “a force to reckon with” in the political arena as the elections draw near.
While Duterte has repeatedly said that he would not run for president because he has no ambition for it, he might eventually change his mind and file his certificate of candidacy (COC) before the deadline tomorrow.
“Whatever would be his decision would really affect the political landscape,” said Escudero, who arrived here yesterday morning for a series of engagements.
Escudero visited Davao City a day before he is expected to file his COC for vice president today with his presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe.
Escudero also said that there could be groups supporting him for vice president but may opt to support Duterte or other candidates for president.
“It is possible, as everybody is free to do something if that is what they wish to do,” he said. “Remember that I did that in the 2010 elections when I went for President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay, which was even called ‘Noy-Bi’ team- up.”