The camp of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said Friday, March 18 that it respects the decision-making process of One Cebu when it comes to choosing the presidential candidate that it will endorse in the May 9 polls.
Duterte's spokesperson, Liloan town, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco had this to say even as she highlighted the presidential daughter's appreciation for being endorsed by the dominant local party.
"So far, One Cebu has endorsed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice president. And we are very grateful to Governor Gwen Garcia for giving the endorsement. Mayor Sara is very grateful for this," Frasco said in a chance interview.
"We are very respectful of the official process of One Cebu and we really await the announcement of One Cebu as to who its presidential candidate will be," she added.
Duterte, chairperson of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), is the running mate of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Bongbong Marcos. Collectively dubbed the UniTeam, both are survey frontrunners in the respective positions they are running for.
In a separate chance interview, Duterte said that she would personally really her gratitude to Garcia for being picked as One Cebu's vice presidential bet.
Difficult situation
But an announcement of One Cebu's pick among the "presidentiables" may not be forthcoming at the moment, if remarks from party president Garcia Friday are any indication.
"I do not wish to hurt anybody with a decision that will favor one and not the other. It's really a very difficult situation for me now," the governor told Radyo Pilipinas in an interview.
"I wish I could say sooner rather than later, but right now personally, I'd rather say later rather than sooner," Garcia said, referring to the party's endorsement for the Palace race.
But she acknowledged she would ultimately have to make a choice given the important role of Cebu in the upcoming polls by virtue of its huge voting population.
"I also know that the members of One Cebu are seeking guidance from me. That is my duty, to guide our members. Also, realizing that the province of Cebu alone is 2.3 million votes, and in a united province, this huge, single biggest voting bloc would mean a significant difference in the presidential race.
"That is why we cannot just set aside our role, the role of One Cebu and the role of Cebu province in this presidential election. So I would have to make a choice," she said.