Sara: No hard feelings over dad’s non-endorsement of BBM

MANILA, Philippines — Vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she has no hard feelings toward her father President Duterte for not endorsing her standard bearer, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a chance interview with reporters after casting her vote yesterday, Carpio thanked her father for campaigning for her, especially during the miting de avance of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNP-HTL) in Davao City last May 6.

The elder Duterte, however, did not endorse Marcos or any other presidential candidate, even up to the last minute of the 90-day campaign period which officially ended on May 7.

Duterte was no-show during the third and final miting de avance of Marcos and Carpio’s UniTeam tandem in Parañaque City last Saturday night.

Asked if she has any hard feelings or “tampo” toward her father over the non-endorsement of Marcos, Carpio, who is running under the banner of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and HNP replied: “Of course, none.”

“All of us can choose our candidates, especially the President. It’s his right to endorse or not to endorse anyone,” Carpio added in English and Filipino.

Carpio, together with her husband, Manases Carpio, voted at around 9 a.m. yesterday at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City.

Carpio said that win or lose, she is set to hold a virtual thanksgiving for her supporters and volunteers who accompanied her during the rigorous 90-day campaign.

She added that she is also set to meet with several groups and personalities from May 10 to 13 to personally thank them for their support in her campaign.

Meanwhile, she stressed that she would be a hardworking and cooperative vice president if she gets elected.

“First and foremost, I will be a vice president that will work hard for our country, the Philippines. That’s our campaign (promise), because we sought out the support of all our fellow Filipinos in campaigning,” Carpio said.

“And of course we will be a supportive and loyal vice president to Apo BBM (Bongbong Marcos) in the event he wins,” she added.

She said she would remain steadfast in performing her job even if she would have to work with a non-ally president.

“If the elected president is not our running mate or ally, I will still continue to work for our country,” she said.

She added that she is prepared to focus on activities centered on peace-building and child protection even if she would not be given a Cabinet post by the elected president. – Elizabeth Marcelo