Romualdez: Sara joined Lakas-CMD for possible national run
MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio jumped ship to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Lakas-CMD for a potential run for a national office, party president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Friday.
“I’d like to tell you that she has joined Lakas-CMD for a possible run in the national arena of Philippine politics,” Romualdez said in a virtual press conference.
He added that Duterte-Carpio’s decision on whether she will be running for president or vice president will likely be known over the weekend.
Duterte-Carpio took her oath as Lakas-CMD member before Romualdez on Thursday at the sidelines of the wedding of the daughter of party chairman Sen. Bong Revilla at his farm in Silang, Cavite.
Previously, the Davao City mayor was the chairperson of Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party she founded in 2018 in support of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte-Carpio’s moving from a regional party to a national party sets the stage for a potential run for a national position by substituting for Lakas-CMD’s aspirants for the presidency or vice presidency.
A certain Anna Capella Velasco and another Lyle Fernando Uy filed their candidacies for president and vice president under Lakas-CMD, but the party’s secretary general, House Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay, told ABS-CBN News that they were just placeholders.
Pichay later walked back on this statement.
If the party were to be followed, Romualdez said they want Duterte-Carpio to run for president, but he added that they would respect whatever her decision may be.
“We shall support her decision with the options that are before her,” he said. “The party is here to provide security, support and to provide as much positive influence in moving the candidacy of our party members forward and for their future success.”
The Davao City mayor’s recent maneuvering leading up to the Commission on Elections’ deadline for the substitution of candidates who withdrew their electoral bids have made waves in the political scene, with a faction of the ruling PDP-Laban backed by her father mulling over their next moves.
This PDP-Laban faction said they are “exploring all options,” including their original plan of fielding Sen. Bong Go as president and President Duterte as vice president.
Follow this thread for updates on the aspirants for local and national posts in the May 2022 elections. — Main photo by The STAR/Boy Santos
Former senator Bongbong Marcos, with 56%, maintains his lead in the Pulse Asia pre-election survey conducted from April 16 to 21.
Vice President Leni Robredo ranks second with 23% followed by Sen. Manny Pacquiao with 7%.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ranks fourth with 4% and Sen. Ping Lacson is in fifth place with 2%.
The latest Pulse Asia pre-election survey shows that former senator Bongbong Marcos remains the top choice of 60% of Filipinos for president.
Vice President Leni Robredo ranks second with 16%, followed by boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno with 8% each.
Sen. Ping Lacson is in the fifth place with 4%. The poll was conducted from January 19 to 24 using face-to-face interviews.
Larry Gadon, a candidate for senator, is accused of violating Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act after he was seen in a viral video cursing at a journalist, according to a report by ABS-CBN.
The complaints, which include libel and cyberlibel charges, were filed by freelance investigative journalist Raissa Robles. Gadon had accused her of spreading fake news in a separate video.
The Supreme Court last month suspended Gadon for profanities he hurled at Robles in the earlier video.
Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan will hold their proclamation rally in Naga City, Camarines Sur on February 8, campaign manager Erin Tanada says.
Tanada adds that the opposition camp will also hold proclamation rallies in different areas in Bicol region on from February 8 to 9.
All 12 senatorial bets endorsed by Robredo are also invited to the event.
Makabayan coalition holds press briefing on their endorsement of the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. — Xave Gregorio
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