LAKAS-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday night said no public office aspirant is assured of victory until he or she is proclaimed.
Duterte, Lakas-CMD, and regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairperson made the statement even if Pulse Asia’s February survey put her voter preference at 53 percent, while Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. maintained his score at 60 percent.
She told reporters that she and Marcos would continue to seek the support of voters until the last day of the campaign period.
Asked if the UniTeam Alliance tandem is confident of victory judging from survey results and the huge rally crowds they are attracting, Inday Sara said, “we are always running scared.”
“Iyan dapat ang mindset namin, dahil walang kasiguraduhan ang pagkapanalo until ma-proclaim ka po,” she said.
She also again thanked her father, President Duterte, for endorsing her.
In a speech in Batangas on Monday, the President said he would not support any candidate, except his daughter
“Ako wala na, tapos na ako. I am not supporting any candidate except, of course, my daughter. Ako, boboto talaga ako sa anak ko,” the President said.
Mayor Duterte was interviewed after she addressed a huge rally here of at least 10,000 organized by Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga’s third district.
Earlier on Monday, Gonzales, mayors and other local officials in his district announced their decision to support the BBM-Sara tandem.
Before proceeding to Mexico, the UniTeam candidates were in Lubao town to greet former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a happy birthday and to meet with provincial officials led by Gov. Dennis Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda.
Arroyo turns 75 Tuesday. She is seeking a comeback as representative of the second district. Like Gonzales of the third district, she has no opponent.
Mayor Sara thanked Arroyo, the Pinedas and Gonzales for their support.
Mayor Duterte said the Arroyos, Pinedas and Gonzales have been helping her, Marcos and UniTeam senatorial candidates seek the support of their constituents.
Pampanga is among the 10 biggest provinces in terms of the number of voters registered for the May 9 elections