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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Sara's cliffhanger

Sara's cliffhanger

Published Nov 13, 2021 12:05 am

MEDIUM RARE

Jullie Y. Daza

Will she or won’t she?

After scoffing at the intramurals in her father’s political party as a sitcom, it was Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s turn to author her own mystery-thriller cliffhanger. Political analysts came out of the woodwork guessing what was the strategy in withdrawing her reelection bid. Rep. Joey Salceda broadcast choice sound bites reiterating what he and the mayor have been discussing “almost every day” about her “unyielding firmness of purpose”: “She has always wanted to be president. The vice presidency is not an option.”

Like a storm arriving without warning, suddenly everyone was caught in the name game featuring only two names. Bongbong-Sara? Sara-Bongbong? (A Bongbong-Bong Go did not catch on following the senator’s “emotional” thank-you to his supporters.)

At the height of the highly partisan speculations, and as if to taunt the fates, Mayor Sara found herself walking down the aisle arm in arm with BBM “like a bride and bridegroom” (quoting another sponsor) at the Nov. 11 wedding of Senator Bong Revilla’s daughter. The Protacio-Revilla ceremony, held at the Revilla Farm in Silang, Cavite was attended by so many politicians that the event looked like a political convention. Television covered the wedding but not for one moment did I see any video of the real bride and bridegroom.

One enterprising correspondent did catch Sara’s attention long enough to get a statement other than “no comment.” Thanking her supporters she said, “I hope whatever happens I will be able to give them what they want.”

Did she just give herself away? She knows what they want. “Run, Sara, run!”

She left the party before dinner could be served, just as news broke that she had just resigned from her Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional party, and immediately taken her oath as a Lakas-CMD, the rule being that, aha, a presidential candidate must be affiliated with a national party.

In such a romantic setting -- an outdoor wedding at sunset – the BBM who has been leading all surveys stood his ground as the Federal party’s presidential bet: “I will not change parties. I entered this race . . . not to play substitution.” Two days to find out how this dramatic episode will unravel. Then wait for season 2.

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