By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte said that his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio does not have any plans to run for President.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio
(KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement amid speculations that he is grooming his daughter, fondly called Inday, to be his successor.
In a speech in Boracay, Duterte asked the public to not believe that the presidential daughter is eyeing to be the country's highest government official.
"Si Inday, huwag kayo maniwalang tatakbo ng Presidente. Hindi yan mag-aaksaya ng panahon (Don't believe that Inday will run for President. She won't waste time for that)," he said.
This year, Carpio has formed the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional political party, which also entered into alliances with other regional and national political parties. Her founding of the HNP sparked her rift with former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez when the latter accused her of being part of the opposition.
During his meeting with the Filipino Community in Amman, Jordan in September, Duterte said that if he will not be able to fulfill the promises he made to the country, he was hoping that Carpio would be able to do so.
"Kung hindi ako makabayad ng utang ko sa inyo, I hope in little ways, si Inday, Mayor man, she might be in the future (If I am unable to repay you for voring for me, I hope in little ways Inday, even as a mayor, she might be in the future)," he said.
"Pwede man ninyong malapitan. Inday is good. Marunong 'yan (You can count on her. Inday is good. She is clever)," he added.
A month before that, Duterte expressed confidence that Carpio will not run for a national post. Last month, Carpio filed her certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor with his brother Sebastian as her running mate.
"Ang anak ko, si Inday, I can tell you I know her. Hindi magtatakbo 'yan ng national. Ganun lang 'yan (Inday is my daughter, I know her. She will not run for a national post. She's just like that)," Duterte said.
Last month, Duterte, in jest, had warned the public about getting into Carpio's bad side, citing how his daughter masterminded the downfall of Alvarez as House Speaker.