Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque asked the public to give President Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio some "breathing space" and let them settle the issue between the two of them because it was a "family affair." Both the President and his daughter are considered as popular candidates for the two highest elective positions in the country.
Roque made the statement after Carpio called out her father in a statement in response to reports that the President will not run for vice president in the 2022 polls should his daughter pursue her presidential bid.
In his press briefing on Thursday, August 26, Roque hoped that the two Dutertes would be allowed to discuss the issue between them.
"This is a family matter. I would hope the rest of the nation gives the father and the daughter breathing space to discuss and agree on future course of action," he said.
"The decision to run or to not run is still a personal decision. It is a constitutional right of citizens. As far as the President's sense of delicadeza is concerned, only one Duterte can run. That is the context by which I say let the father and daughter deal with the issues," he added.
Roque believed that this was probably the reason why the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) edited the President's remarks about his daughter and their political plans were edited out of the final version of his public address that was aired late Tuesday.
"One consideration was the matter involved discussions involving family members. So that was another consideration," he said.
"Whoever edited it thought that the matter is a family matter and should be left between father and daughter," he added.
Meanwhile, Roque said that the issue between the Dutertes was not an act, as suggested by skeptics online.
"Over naman 'yan (I think that's going too far)," he said.
"I don't think people would want to be exposed to this kind of controversy just for a zarzuela," he added.
On Tuesday, President Duterte said he will run as vice president to continue his crusade against criminality and illegal drugs, among others. However, Roque confirmed the following morning that Duterte will not pursue this if Carpio will run for president, out of delicadeza.
Roque reiterated this in his press briefing.
"The President's stand remains. Delicadeza dictates that only one Duterte will run. Since only one Duterte will run, and in his perception, Mayor Sara will not run, then he can run for vice president," he said.
President Duterte had said in many instances that he was against Carpio running for president.