Despite differences in their politics, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is still President Duterte's favorite child.
Roque made the statement after the President admitted that he was kept in the dark about his daughter's decision to run for vice president.
In his last press briefing on Monday, November 15, Roque said there's no problem between the two Dutertes.
"Wala naman pong problema sa samahan ng mag-ama (The father and daughter have no problems with their relationship)," he said.
"Ang sinabi lang ni Preisdente, hindi nagkonsulta si Mayor Sara sa kanyang mga political plans (What the President said is Mayor Sara did not consult with him her political plans)," he added.
He said President Duterte was hurt by what happened but the Davao City Mayor will remain to be his favorite child.
"Medyo siyempre nagtatampo kasi hindi nga siya nakonsulta, pero alam niyo po si Mayor Sara paboritong-paboritong anak po 'yan ng ating Presidente (The President is hurt because he was not consulted, but, you know, Mayor Sara is the favorite child of the President)," Roque said.
"I assure you po, apple of his eyes si Mayor Sara sa paningin po ni Presidente (Mayor Sara is still the apple of President Duterte's eye)," he added.
"Wala pong kaduda-duda nagmamahalan po ang mag-ama (There's no denying that the father and daughter love each other)," he continued.
In a YouTube interview on Sunday, President Duterte revealed that he did not really know about his daughter's decision.
He added that they do not really talk anymore.
“Hindi ko nga malaman kung anong nasa utak. Hindi nga kami nag-uusap, eh (I don’t know what going in her mind. We don’t even talk),” Duterte said.
“Hindi ko naman siya sinisisi kasi hindi naman kami nag-uusap. Yung desisyon nila ang ayaw ko na tatakbo siya (I’m not blaming her because we don’t even talk. Their decision about her running is what I didn’t like),” he added.
He, however, raised his suspicion that presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had something to do with his daughter’s decision.
The President said that he will reveal soon why he will not support the candidacy of Marcos.