Two senators want to be the running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio should she decide to run for president, she disclosed Thursday, but Senator Imee Marcos was not among them, contrary to what President Rodrigo Duterte said recently.
Duterte-Carpio said Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Sherwin Gatchalian both offered to be her running mate, which Go confirmed in a separate statement.
The President’s only daughter also said other groups want either Senator Sonny Angara or House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez to be her running mate but added that she cannot confirm if these are true.
The Davao mayor also confirmed that common friends relayed the offer of former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to be her vice president.
As for former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, he has said he will run only for president or senator, the reason for his going around the country.
The presidential daughter also denied the allegation of her father that Senator Imee, Bongbong’s sister, wants to be her vice president.
“This is not true. She visited me in Davao last May 29 to personally relay her birthday wishes. So far this is the only visit she has made to me in Davao,” she further stated.
Go admitted he expressed his willingness to be considered in the list of choices of the presidential daughter.
“I enlisted like the others, knowing my devotion to the Dutertes. Whatever my love is for the father is the same for his children,” he related.
“I hope that my experience in the past two national elections and in serving her father for more than two decades can help her reach her goals for our country, regardless of what role I will take (whether as VP candidate or campaigner),” Go added.
However, the senator clarified that his decision to run for VP only holds if she decides to run for the presidency, and if President Duterte does not run for the vice presidency.
“As I have said numerous times, I leave my fate to God, to the Dutertes, and to the Filipino people — whatever the decision of the Dutertes, I will support them,” he stated.
Go has been endorsed by the Cusi wing of the ruling PDP Laban to be its standard bearer next year, but he has formally declined the offer.
Gatchalian can seek reelection to the Senate next year.
Angara said he’s honored that some groups are considering him as a possible running mate of the Davao mayor.
“We believe in her potential and promise as a leader on a national stage, as the nation will always need leaders with strong political will and morals,” said Angara in a statement.
Angara said they are focused on their duties at the Senate, including the preparations for the hearings on the 2022 national budget that are about to begin.
“Foremost in our mind is how to improve the situation of our kababayans, including our health workers, given the evolving nature of COVID-19,” said the leader of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, adding he has no plan of seeking higher office this time.
Romualdez, president of the Lakas CMD who is eligible for a second term as a congressman in 2022, remains mum about his political plans.
The Davao mayor is yet to decide if she would seek a final term as Davao City mayor or join the presidential race.
The deadline of filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections is on October 1 to 8.
