The People’s Reform Party (PRP), the poltical party mainly identified with the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, has officially adopted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate in the upcoming May polls.
Lawyer Narciso Santiago, the party president, made the announcement Wednesday, Feb. 9, or a day after the campaign period for national election candidates was kicked off. Santiago is the husband of the late senator.
“Ang buong paniniwala namin at ng buong PRP, siya (Duterte-Carpio) ang karapat-dapat na vice president ng ating bansa (It is our belief and that of the entire PRP that only she is worthy to be the country’s vice president),” Santiago said.
Mayor Duterte also graced the inauguration of the party’s campaign headquarters, which was the office of the beloved late solon.
“It is an honor, and I am humbled by this opportunity na ibinigay po ng PRP sa atin (that the PRP gave to us),” said the vice presidential bet, who also serves as chairperson of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party.
She also expressed her admiration to Senator Santiago for her legacy as a public servant and her strong stand against corruption.
“Everybody loved Miriam Santiago. Alam na natin ano yung contributions niya sa ating bansa (We know what her contributions were to the country),” she added.
The late senator ran for the presidency in May 2016 along with then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sara's father.
During a memorable exchange in one presidential debate, Senator Santiago lauded Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City. In return, Duterte also praised the senator, even calling her as someone “who could be the next president".
Santiago succumbed to lung cancer in September 2016.
Meanwhile, Sara Duterte thanked all the supporters who attended Tuesday’s UniTeam proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa team ni Bongbong Marcos, sa UniTeam, sa production staff, at sa lahat po ng pumunta doon sa Philippine Arena para maki-isa at magpakita ng suporta at ipalawak ang pagkakaisa na message ng UniTeam,” she said.
Mayor Duterte is in the National Capital Region (NCR) for her "Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride," which is now on its ninth day.