Although political dynasties are prohibited under the Constitution, the lead convenor of an opposition coalition on Thursday, July 15, said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio can run for president in the May 2022 polls succeeding her father, President Duterte.
In 1Sambayan’s virtual media briefing, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio noted the absence of an enabling law against political dynasties allows Duterte-Carpio to seek the country’s highest post next year.
“We are a free country. Anyone who is qualified can run for president,” Carpio, who is related to Duterte-Carpio, said.
The former associate justice is related to the presidential daughter by marriage because Duterte-Carpio’s husband, lawyer Mans Carpio, is his nephew.
Carpio, however, cited the anti-dynasty provision in the Constitution “which should prohibit members of family from controlling a certain position or succeeding one another.”
READ: Duterte-Duterte not a political dynasty because Sara will not let it happen – HNP spokesman
The Davao City mayor has not made concrete her plans to seek the presidency, though she backtracked on earlier claims that she does not want to run for president. She said she will think about it, and gauge what the people want.
Duterte-Carpio stressed that she will not run if her father will run as vice president in the upcoming elections.
In the latest Pulse Asia survey for presidential preference conducted from June 7 to 16, 2021, Duterte-Carpio came out on top with 28 percent of the 2,400 respondents.
She was followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, 14 percent; former Senator Bongbong Marcos, 13 percent; Senator Grace Poe, 10 percent; Senator Manny Pacquiao, 8 percent; and Vice President Leni Robredo, 6 percent.
Carpio said while the Constitution prohibits political dynasties, the intention of it “has not been made concrete by a law.”
“If she (Duterte-Carpio) wants to run, she can run. But the intention really is there should be a prohibition,” he added.