Sara Duterte not running for senator, says dad

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  — Like the father, the daughter is just “shaking the tree.”

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is not running for senator in next year’s midterm elections, according to her father the President.

“Don’t believe that she will run for the Senate. Like me, she is just shaking the tree,” President Duterte said during a meeting with Mindanao local executives over the weekend.

Last year, the President said he wanted his daughter to succeed him, citing her determination, compassion and dedication as a public servant. 

Carpio has made it to the Magic 12 in different surveys on preferred senatorial candidates for the 2019 polls.

She has formed a regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which is composed of the four governors in Southern Mindanao and other local government officials down to municipal councilors and provincial board members. 

Carpio said she was overwhelmed by the survey results, the latest of which was conducted by Pulse Asia wherein she ranked fourth. 

She has yet to announce her future political plans although she is qualified to run for two more terms as Davao mayor.

Carpio has thrown her support to Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go should he finally decide to run for senator.

Herself a lawyer, the mayor is married to lawyer Manases Carpio. They have three children.