Alan Cayetano not seeking Sara Duterte’s endorsement

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Alan Cayetano remains optimistic that he will get the House speakership even without the endorsement of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Cayetano, who is running for congressman of the first district of Taguig City, said he went to see Carpio before Christmas last year and they had a good talk. But he stressed he did not ask for her endorsement for the speakership. 

“Maybe at the right time, both of us can explain further, but we agreed to focus first on making our candidates win,” Cayetano said. 

Carpio is campaigning for the candidates of her party Hugpong ng Pagbabago for the upcoming May elections. The Nacionalista Party where Cayetano belongs is allied with HNP.

“I myself did not ask for her endorsement. It’s more than enough for me that she doesn’t dislike me. I came to her so she would get to know me completely, thank her (because) she supported me as vice (presidential candidate) during the (2016) election,” he said.?Cayetano, who lost to Vice President Leni Robredo, was the runningmate of President Duterte.

In her previous speeches while campaigning, Carpio endorsed Cayetano, former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as next House speaker.

Carpio later clarified that she does not have any control of the House and that its members are free to choose their speaker.