CEBU CITY – The camp of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is still apparently “playing coy” regarding their political plans for the upcoming 2022 elections.
Duterte-Carpio, technically speaking, can still run for president via the substitution route which will lapse on November 15. This despite her decision to file her Certificate of Candidacy in Davao City where she stated her desire to seek a third term as mayor.
But Duterte-Carpio flying in to Cebu has sparked speculations about her political plans in next year’s elections.
Adding fire to the speculations of a possible Carpio-Marcos tandem was the confirmed meeting of the Davao City mayor and former Senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Cebu City on Saturday, October 23.
The spokesperson of Duterte-Carpio, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, said the presidential daughter’s visit in Cebu was not totally related to next year’s elections.
"I invited Mayor Sara to attend the inauguration of our new Port in Liloan and to attend our League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu General Assembly. This is her official schedule," Frasco said in a text message to reporters Saturday morning.
On Sunday, October 24, Duterte-Carpio will be in Liloan town, northern Cebu to attend the inauguration of Pier 88 and the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of Philippines Cebu Chapter.
Clad in a sweater marked “Sara All 2022”, Duterte-Carpio flew in several hours after Marcos arrived in Cebu on Friday.
Around noontime Saturday, October 23, the group spearheading Marcos’ campaign in Cebu confirmed through its official Facebook page that Marcos and Duterte-Carpio met.
In a separate post by Duterte-Carpio’s Facebook page, the presidential daughter confirmed meeting Marcos at the birthday celebration of Cong. Yedda Romualdez, the wife of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.
The Romualdezes own a house at the exclusive Maria Luisa Subdivision in Cebu City.
“Confirmed po na nagkita kami ngayon ni lang ni Presidential aspirant at former Senator BBM sa masayang pagdiriwang ng birthday ni Cong. Yedda, maybahay ni House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez sa Cebu,” Duterte’s post read.
Shortly after arriving in Cebu Friday, Marcos met Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
Marcos also graced the inauguration of his campaign headquarters located in uptown Cebu City.
Marcos met with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan on Saturday, while Duterte-Carpio held breakfast meetings with Cebu City officials at a hotel.
Duterte-Carpio also met with Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas and her cousin Cebu 5th District Board Member Red Duterte on Friday night.
While Duterte-Carpio was in Cebu last Saturday, separate caravans were held by groups pushing for the presidential daughter to run for president.
While the meeting with Marcos and other key figures in Cebu caused more speculations, the likelihood of Duterte Carpio running for president remained a guessing game.