Palace: Sara Duterte a sure winner in 2022, but…

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will surely win if she runs for president in 2022, but her father President Duterte is still against her following his footsteps, Malacañang said yesterday.

Religious leader Apollo Quiboloy claimed that God has chosen Carpio to become president and expressed belief that God has a “big plan” for her. The pastor-friend of Duterte has also described the presidency as “a gift from God,” and not something one aspires for.

Carpio has said she would ask God first if the presidency is for her before making a decision on whether to seek the highest post in the land.

Asked to react to Quiboloy’s declaration, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte does not want his daughter to run for president because of the demanding nature of the job.

“Well, if you ask the President, he would say he is against it. He said the presidency is a thankless job. You devote all your time, even your health (to the job), yet you are still subjected to all forms of defamation,” Panelo said in a radio interview.

“Kaya ayaw niya dahil anak niya, eh. Siyempre, naawa siya sa anak niya... Kasi ’pag tumakbo ’yan, siguradong panalo ’yan (He does not like it because she is his daughter. He pities his daughter... Because if she runs, she will surely win),” he added.

Panelo nevertheless claimed that Carpio is qualified to become president.

“Definitely. Why not? The President has experience as a mayor right? The same is true with Mayor Sara. She is even stricter than the President… with respect to governance in Davao,” the spokesman added.

Asked if he thought Sara would be an effective president, Panelo replied: “In the President’s opinion, he does not want it. If you ask me, personally, yes.”

Carpio is also the head of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a group seen by some observers as her possible stepping stone toward the presidency. Nine of the 13 senatorial bets endorsed by the party won during the 2019 midterm polls.