Supporters of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio have turned to God to help them convince her to seek the presidency in 2022.
Followers of the Catholic and Islamic faith concluded Friday, Oct. 1 a nine-day ‘novena caravan in various churches and a mosque in Luzon, hoping that Mayor Duterte will change her mind about joining next year’s national polls.
The daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte has declared she will not run for president in adherence to a family agreement that only one among its members can run for a national position in 2022.
President Duterte had already accepted PDP-Laban party nomination to be its vice presidential candidate next year.
Various groups believe that Mayor Duterte is the most qualified candidate for the presidency.
Despite Mayor Duterte’s pronouncement, her supporters have not given up hope that she will eventually change her mind.
The Hugpong Para kay Sara, a newly-formed organization, noted that results of various poll surveys for the presidency had the presidential daughter leading the pack of perceived presidentiables.
The recent Pulse Asia survey showed Mayor Duterte leading former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso as the most preferred ‘presidentiable.’ However, Mayor Duterte has declared she would only seek re-election as chief executive of Davao City.
Still, her supporters have not lost hope that she would file her candidacy for president any date from October 1 to 4.
She is scheduled to leave abroad from October 5-8, the last three days of the filing of candidacy for 2022 candidates.
The interfaith novena was launched by Duterte’s supporters in various parts of Luzon.
Religious rites for the prayer intention were held at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Paranaque (Sept. 23); Novaliches Church in Quezon City (Sept. 24); Golden Mosque, Quiapo Manila (Sept. 25); Barasoian Church in Malolos, Bulacan (Sept. 26); Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Manaoag in Pangasinan (Sept. 27); Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon (Sept. 28); Padre Pio Church in Sto. Tomas Batangas (Sept. 29); Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila (Sept. 30) and back to Baclaran Church (Oct. 1).