Sara Duterte jokes about running for senator

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Davao Today) — The presidential daughter joked about her senatorial bid as she led the oath taking of Barangay Captains on Monday at the Davao City Recreation Center.

During her speech, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio teased barangay captains not to forget her in the upcoming 2019 mid-term elections.

But the mayor said she has “no intention to run for senator” and will still run for mayor.

“Why would I run for senator if I am advising you (barangay captains) to make plans for your jurisdiction?” said Duterte.

The mayor also asked the local leaders to support in the upcoming 2019 elections re-electionist Sen. Cynthia Villar who was represented by her son Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos who both expressed their intention to join the senatorial race.

Also present in the oath taking and endorsed by Duterte is Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu who said ” he is testing the waters” if he would aim for a national position.

Mangudadatu is also doing pre-campaign sorties around the country.

The presidential daughter has long been denying rumors of the possibility of her running in next year’s senatorial race but said she is open to run for a national or any other government position.

In the January Social Weather Station and LAYO research and Strategies survey results, Duterte is among the top contenders in the Magic 12 with front-runner Sen. Grace Poe and returning senators led by Sens. Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay, Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano. 

Kath Cortez is a reporter of Davao Today, a regional partner of Philstar.com