As the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2022 elections nears its end, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque renewed his appeal to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president, saying this is the only scenario wherein he would push through with his own senatorial bid.
Roque made the statement a day before the last day of the filing of the COCs by those who want to run in the 2022 elections.
In his press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 7, Roque said his COC is "ready" and that they plan to pray overnight in Malacañang to convince Duterte-Carpio to run for President.
"Kinakailangan po meron tayong isang salita. At minsan na po akong nagsabi na tatakbo lang ako kung tatakbo po si Mayor Sara Duterte (We need to keep our word. I once said that I will only run if Mayor Sara Duterte will run)," he said.
"Handa po ang aking certificate of candidacy. Bukas po ang last day, magvi-vigil po kami dito sa Malacañang kung sakaling maghahain ng certificate of candidacy si Mayor Sara for president (My COC is ready. Tomorrow is the last day and we will be holding a vigil in case Mayor Sara files her COC for president)," he added.
Roque said that even President Duterte, who had been opposing Duterte-Carpio's possible presidential bid, thinks that the presidential daughter is the best candidate for chief executive.
"I have hinged my political future to that of Mayor Sara. The President has from the very beginning believed that she is the most able candidate for President," he said.
The Palace official tried to convince Duterte-Carpio by bringing up surveys showing that people want her to become the next president.
"Apparently, it's not just I who agree with it. It's also the rest of the Filipino people if we are to believe surveys as reflective of the people's sentiments," Roque said.
"So all we can say right now is we are praying for Mayor Sara to make the right decision. But in seeking the guidance of God, be reminded that the voice of the people is the voice of God," he added.
In June this year, Roque said he will only run in next year’s polls if Duterte-Carpio will run for president, saying she has the same qualities as the late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
“I would run with the administration but I think I will only run if Mayor Inday Sara will run for the position of president,” he said in an interview over ANC.
It is no secret that Roque is one of the people wishing for Duterte-Carpio's participation in the 2022 Palace race. He even updated his Facebook page last June with photos of him in an event that aimed to urge the lady mayor to run next year.