DAVAO CITY – City Mayor Sara Duterte has responded to the question of why she is going around the country.
"It is true that there is a pandemic but it will not suspend the filing of COCs (certificates of candidacy) in October or postpone the elections on May 2022. A decision has to be made regarding my political career with or without the pandemic," the presidential daughter said in a statement on Monday, July 19.
Duterte has recently expressed that she is open to run for president in 2022.
"I have to be resilient. I have divided my entire week between my work as Mayor, my politics, and my family," she said.
Duterte added that all her travels are covered "by duly filed leave of absences."
"I assure all Dabawenyos that my strength as a Mayor is to take on several roles and ensure that work is carried out. It is only my person who leaves the city three days a week and in my stead, you are with our Vice Mayor and the entire strength of all the departments of the City Hall to make sure that operations and services are uninterrupted," she added.
"It is not easy but I am no stranger to difficult circumstances," Duterte said.
On Thursday, July 15, Duterte visited the survivors of the C-130 crash who are admitted at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.
On the same day, Duterte attended the signing of the sisterhood agreement between Davao City and Zamboanga City.
Duterte also went to Cebu for a meeting with Gov. Gwen Garcia early this month.
On July 17, Duterte announced the launching of the official Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page for the public to get to know her better. The page currently has 192,163 followers.