For Malacañang, there is no more speculation as to whether Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio would still change her mind in rejecting offers to run for president in next year’s national elections.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement a day after the mayor met with two presidential candidates – former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Cebu and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in Davao City – fanning speculations that she may opt to be a substitute candidate for the presidency or run in tandem with either candidate.
“I talked with Governor Gwen Garcia to find out what was discussed in Cebu. Governor Gwen told me that Mayor Sara said of her possibility of running for president: ‘That ship has sailed,’” Roque said.
“Meaning, she is really running for reelection as mayor,” he added.
Duterte-Carpio herself said discussions with Marcos over the weekend focused on how her regional party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), can help in the latter’s presidential campaign.
On Monday, Dela Rosa flew to Davao City to seek an audience with the presidential daughter, who has been the frontrunner in several presidential surveys despite repeatedly announcing she is not seeking a national post next year.
Dela Rosa, standard-bearer of a PDP-Laban faction backed by Duterte-Carpio’s father, shared on Facebook a photo of him and the mayor at the Davao City Hall.
“I just reminded her that Nov. 15 is fast approaching,” the senator said.
Dela Rosa has said it would be “better” if Duterte-Carpio ran for president in his place.
Substitutes in next year’s polls have until Nov. 15 to file their candidacies.