Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, the iron lady from Davao City, can best sustain the programs and other gains made by her father President Duterte in Malacañang, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Roque has praised Mayor Duterte's strong and decisive leadership as he stood by his belief that she is the most qualified to run for President in next year's elections.
The President's daughter recently topped an opinion poll on the potential contenders for the 2022 presidential elections. Mayor Duterte however asked survey companies to exclude her from future surveys on the presidential elections.
"Alam po ninyo, isa pang dahilan kaya humahanga ako Mayor Inday Sara, mayroon po siyang sariling paninindigan. (One of the reasons I admire Mayor Inday Sara is she has her own convictions)," Roque said over DZBB Sunday.
"May bakal na kamay, may sariling diskarte, may sariling paninindigan, bukod pa doon sa iba pa niyang kuwalipikasyon na naging dahilan kung bakit sinabi ko na siya ang pinaka-qualified at siya po talaga ang sigurado na magpapatuloy ng lahat ng mga gains na sinimulan ng kaniyang ama. (She has an iron fist, she has her own strategy, beliefs apart from other qualifications why I said she is the most qualified and could really continue all the gains started by her father)," he added.
Giving an example of the mayor's steely resolve, Roque said Mayor Duterte has strictly enforced quarantine measures in her hometown, including a 14-day quarantine for visitors.
While Cabinet members who visit Davao City for a meeting with the President are exempted from a 14-day quarantine, Roque said the mayor has asked them to leave the city as soon as their meeting is over. As a heath and security precaution implemented by the Presidential Security Group, Cabinet members must have a negative result in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before attending any meeting with the President.
"Attend lang kami ng meeting, uwi kaagad. So, kung matapos ang meeting alas-dose uuwi pa rin kami kaagad. Darating kami sa mga bahay namin alas-tres. (We attend the meeting and go home afterwards. If the meeting ends at 12, we go home immediately. We will arrive at our houses at 3 o'clock)," Roque said about their meetings held in the President's hometown.
Roque also clarified that the President was addressing his daughter when he claimed that women are not fit for the presidency. He said the President, like any father, merely showed his concern for his daughter.
"Tingin ko ang konteksto naman niyan eh ayaw niya kay Inday Sara iyong hirap na dinanas niya bilang isang Presidente. I think, kinakausap nga niya si Inday Sara (I think it's about content. He does not want Inday Sara to suffer the hardship he endured as President. I think he was talking to Inday Sara)" he said.
"Ang sabi niya talaga, “Ay inuudyokan nila iyong anak ko, pero sabi ko huwag kang tumakbo, dahil ayaw kong madanas mo iyong hirap na dinanas ko.” Tapos iyon iyong sinabi niya, hindi pambabae ito, siyempre ang mga ama may special lugar sa kanilang puso ang kanilang mga anak na babae, natural lang po iyan (He said, 'They're trying to encourage my daughter but I told her not to run because I don't want her to suffer the hardship I've gone through.' And then he said, this is not for women. Of course fathers have a special place for daughters in their hearts. It's natural)," he said.
Asked if the President will stop his daughter or let her make her own decision about the presidency, Roque said he believes that it is still up to Mayor Duterte to decide.
"So tingin ko po, desisyon pa rin iyan ni Mayor Sara Duterte at iyan po ang isang dahilan kung bakit humahanga talaga ako sa kaniya ano, kasi she decides on her own. Although I’m sure iko-consider po niya iyong rekomendasyon ng kaniyang ama (I think, that's the decision of Mayor Sara Duterte. That's one of the reasons I really admire her becuase she decides on her won. Although I'm sure she will consider the recommendation of her father)," he said.
In a public speech last week, Duterte earlier claimed that his daughter was not running for president next year despite becoming the top pick among survey respondents as presidential bet.
He has discouraged her daughter from seeking the presidency to spare her from the ordeal he experienced as the country's leader. Duterte further said the presidency is not for a woman, citing the different "emotional setup of a woman and a man.”
Duterte, known for his offensive comments, has drawn criticisms for his latest sexist remark that belittled the capability of women leaders.