Is there something cooking within the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s political party, the People’s Reform Party (PRP)?

Barely 24 hours after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte issued a statement reiterating her decision not to run for president, the PRP revealed on social media that it had entered into a “Partnership for Reform” with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) which the local executive founded.

This, together with the swearing in of presidential adviser Leoncio Evasco Jr. as PRP member only last Monday, has triggered speculations that there remains a chance that President Duterte's daughter may still join the presidential derby.

A HNP source disclosed that either Evasco or another PRP official will be filing a certificate of candidacy for president before the deadline tomorrow.

“This will pave the way for Mayor Sara to run for president via substitution,” the source added.

Among the senior officials of the Duterte administration, Evasco is believed to be closest to the city mayor. In fact, she strongly supported the current Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes when he ran for governor of Bohol in 2019.

Now headed by Defensor-Santiago’s husband, Narciso Santiago, Jr., the PRP is one of the four political parties that committed to renew their coalition agreement with HNP.

Draft of the agreement were sent to all four political parties - the Nacionalista Party, National Unit Party, Lakas-CMD and PRP - but nothing has been formalized until now.

However, in a social media post, the PRP said: “PRP AND Hugpong ng Pagbabago PARTNERSHIP FOR REFORM The People's Reform Party (PRP) and the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) share many things in common, including deep historical bonds.” Posted on its Facebook page the PRP stated: “We also share the same programs of government that focus on reform, discipline, and good governance.” It added: “Today and in the coming days, we celebrate the ties that bind.” The message was posted barely 24 hours after Mayor Duterte declared in her Facebook page that she intends to finish her three-year term as mayor of her city.

“Madami sa inyo ang nasasaktan, sumama ang loob at nawalan ng pag-asa pero puwede pa rin tayo magtulungan para sa ating bayan, di kailangan ng position, di kailangan ng tayo ay Pangulo upang makatulong,” (Many were hurt and lost hope but we can still help each other for our country, without any position, we don’t need to be president to help)” she said.

She followed up her message with another one on Thursday: ”Maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta. Salamat at kahit anong mangyari kampante akong andiyan kayo. Salamat po sa kakaibang tiwalang ipinapakita niyo. Isang karangalan po ito na malaki para sa akin ang inyong suporta at lubos na tiwala. (Thank you for your support. Whatever happens I still take comfort that you are all there. Thanks for the different kind of trust you are showing. I take pride of in your complete trust and support),” the presidential daughter said.