If and when Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio decides to run as president in next year’s national elections, she would be totally different from her father President Duterte.

This was shared by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, who was a consultant to the Duterte-Carpio, and a member of the “Hugpong Para Kay Sara” (HPS) that is pushing a Mayor Sara run at the presidency in the May 2022 polls.

“The woman, while she has the politics and the DNA of a Duterte, she is not a clone of her father nor a puppet to her father,” said Ramirez in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Tuesday, Oct. 5.

He added Duterte-Carpio, fondly called “Inday Sara”, was fiercely independent and had her own style of governance, and had her own way of communicating with people.

“Ang philosophy niya (Her philosophy in public service and as an elected official) is that of former senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago – that public service is based on honesty and integrity,” he added.

“She is a leader balanced on mind and heart. While her heart aches for the poor, in important decisions to be made she consults a lot and listens a lot. She doesn’t talk and withdraws from what she talks – iba ito (she’s different).

“And she doesn’t (make a) joke,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez said that he strongly felt that the 43-year-old politician was ready to be the next president.

Of all the current individuals that have filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the highest position in government in the country, Duterte was a “very good” option to replace Duterte.

“Klaro ang kanyang governance (She has a clear governance),” said the 71-year-old Ramirez.

“Even those who don't believe in the leadership of her father, Mayor Inday is a very good option for good governance and preservation of a country to stand by on its own. And si Mayor Inday kinikilala niya lahat ng kulay (And Mayor Inday acknowledges all colors),” added Ramirez, referring to the different political parties in the country.

The way things are going and on his own assessment, Ramirez said: “Ako tuloy (I think it’s a go), I think she will run (for president). I have not seen any sign that she is not.”

The longtime sports official also noted the wide scope of governance that the Mayor needed to balance in Davao City, from the agriculture sector, to mining, as well as the mixed tribes in Mindanao and the city’s response to the health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that these things that the Mayor had faced since she entered politics in 2007 fail in comparison to what other city mayors are dealing with in Metro Manila.

Ramirez said these experiences of Mayor Sara have shaped her for a bigger role in government – the presidency.

“I’ve seen how she articulated her statements, she has improved a lot, perhaps on her travels around the country, consultations, her travel around the world, looking into the world’s prime movers,” he said.

While the ruling party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) where the President is a member, is pushing for a tandem of Sara Duterte-Bong Go – an incumbent senator who has filed his COC for Vice-President – Ramirez said that he didn’t see this happening.

What they, at HPS, was hoping for was for ‘Inday Sara’ to run under the People’s Reform Party (PRP) that was founded by the late Defensor-Santiago, and currently headed by its president Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr.

“She is not part of the party (PDP-Laban) and their movement. She is very independent from whatever the father’s movement, including other people around the president,” said Ramirez.

As to the question on why Mayor Sara filed a COC seeking a third and last term as Davao City head, and not a COC for president? Ramirez said that is only for the lady mayor to answer.

“She’s not playing any games. Other people are playing, that's why some people mentioned Sara-Bong. She’s not a part of it. She’s an independent person from the decision of her father. If somebody is playing politics with her, she’s not playing because she is a very serious person in her politics and governance,” he said.

“As a former consultant, and a genuine Duterte supporter, I’m also a legitimate PRP member and official. If there’s a party na walang bahid ng negatives, it’s PRP. I would love Mayor Inday to run under PRP.”

Ramirez said that they will continue to discuss plans for the PRP and HPS together with other alliances until the deadline of filing of COCs on Friday, Oct. 8.

He also said he was not trying to sweet talk Duterte-Carpio so that he could keep his job should she win.

“I don’t need a job from Mayor Inday Sara. I would just love to be helping her because I believe in her. I would just enjoy my time with my grandchildren and children,” he said.

And neither was he afraid that he could lose his PSC job.

“Kaya sinasabi ko ito, walang takot kahit mabasa ng (Reason why I'm saying this without fear even if they ready it) administration and say ‘Ramirez tanggal ka na’ (you’re removed) bye-bye – because I'm an appointee of a politician but I have my political views.”

“You cannot stop my freedom of selection as to who should lead the country the way I look at it,” he said.