Mayor Sara reiterates run for reelection

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shut the door for a presidential run despite consistently topping various surveys on possible presidentiables in next year’s polls. 

“I am presenting myself to the Dabawenyos for the third and last time of my life as a politician,” Duterte-Carpio said, as she maintained she is bent on seeking reelection as Davao City mayor for her third and final term.

Duterte-Carpio further said she has no plans of seeking a higher position in the future for she wants to end her life as a politician only as Davao City mayor. And despite not running for president, she said she could still help others even without the country’s highest position.

Her announcement was made amid the clamor from thousands of supporters who gathered to urge the Davao mayor to run for president during the last day of the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday

Duterte-Carpio filed for reelection last Saturday, the second day of the filing of the COC. Likewise, she said she has no plans of withdrawing her candidacy for Davao City mayor. As of late yesterday afternoon, her mayoralty bid was challenged by Joseph Hannibal Elizalde and one Teodoro Mantilla.

“I have been honored with the gift of trust and respect of many of our fellow Filipinos, a gift that is one in a million. Thank you to everyone who have expressed their support. Many of you do not know me and yet you carry me over your shoulders,” she said to her supporters.

There were reports yesterday that President Duterte was reportedly set to file his COC for city mayor, supposedly through a special power of attorney (SPA), but the supposed representative failed to appear at the Davao City Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office. – Paolo Romero, Robertzon Ramirez