Sara calls 3 Rody critics hypocrites, opportunists

DAVAO CITY, MANILA, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday lambasted three senators who have been criticizing her father, President Duterte.

Sara turned to her Facebook account in calling Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan as “nothing but hypocrites and opportunists” who at one time or another sought the help of her father, then mayor of Davao City, and even her own help for their political ambitions. 

Sara likened the Tindig Pilipinas movement spearheaded by the three senators to “Hunger Games Pilipinas,” after the three-fingered salute similar to the sign in the Hunger Games novels and movies.

“Ano ititindig niyo? Paninindigang Trapo (What will you stand for? Traditional politicians)?” Sara said.

Sara was also quick to point out that she herself does not have any plans of running for president in 2022. 

She said she is just voicing her opinion because the three have been demolishing the Duterte administration to suit their political ambitions. 

She stressed that they are “so engrossed in their political ambitions for them to resort to all means just to destroy the Duterte administration.” 

“Hunger Games, Pilipinas: Plastic na, oportunista pa (oppotunists). Kayong tatlo may ambisyon mag presidente (You three have ambition to be president), I grew up in politics, mas matagal pa ko sa pulitika kesa sa inyo tatlo combined (I have been in politics longer than you three combined). I smell ambition a million miles away,” she added. 

“Matanong ko lang, nung mga panahon na humingi kayo ng tulong, may isyu ba kayo sa governance ni President Rodrigo Duterte? Wala. Ngayon na nanalo na siya? (Just asking, when you asked help from my father, was there an issue with his governance? None. Now that he won, you’re criticizing him),” she said. 

Sara said several years ago she met with Pangilinan at a golf club here where the senator sought Duterte’s endorsement for him to run for president.

“You said with Sharon’s endorsement and my father’s endorsement I’m sure I can make it. You had his endorsement before, now you even have Hunger Games salute effect,” Sara said.

Sara also slammed Honteviros for having “the thickest facial foundation in the picture showing” the launch of the Tinding Pilipinas movement. 

She said Honteviros called her up many times while she was campaigning for her father in a Biyaheng Duterte bus trip in the Visayas and Mindanao for the May 2016 presidential polls. 

“I can remember your bored face listening to me in our law office just so you can get support from Davao,” Sara said. 

As for Trillanes, Sara said he also requested for an audience with her in the past which she turned down.

“Trillanes years ago requested to have a meeting with me here in Davao. I turned it down. You know why? I never liked your circus at the Manila Peninsula,” she said.

In separate interviews, the three senators said that while they were grateful for Duterte’s previous support, their duty was to serve the people and prevent abuses. – With Marvin Sy