Duterte, Sara flying back to Philippines today?

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, are expected to arrive in the country from Hong Kong today on a Cathay Pacific flight, airport sources said.

It is unclear, however, which flight they will be on, as Cathay Pacific has several Manila-bound flights from Hong Kong today.

The Dutertes met supporters in Hong Kong on Sunday during the “Pasasalamat kay PRRD with OFWs” event held at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.

Duterte critics speculated that the Hong Kong trip could have something to do with the rumored issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the former president.

Meanwhile, the younger Duterte may have hinted at her future political plans anew during the Hong Kong event, as she called on overseas Filipino workers to protect their votes and scrutinize candidates for their platforms, track record and accomplishments in public service.

“I’m grateful to all of you – for your help, for campaigning for me, supporting me and voting for me during the last elections… and for the next elections in 2028…just kidding,” she said.

The Vice President has publicly hinted at her intention to run for president in 2028 since the year began. During a public appearance last month, she said the Philippines’ position behind Southeast Asian nations and the rest of the world was what pushed her to “seriously consider” running for president in 2028.

Meanwhile, she told the crowd in Hong Kong that the first time she felt confident about her chances of winning the vice presidency in 2022 was upon seeing the overseas absentee voting results, where she got the lion’s share.

Duterte stressed that the OFW vote was crucial in every election, urging migrant workers not to sell their votes under any circumstance.

“The problem with us voters is we keep picking the same people. We like voting for famous candidates, those who can sing and dance, those who can amuse and make us laugh… We don’t look at the character,” she said.

Several senatorial candidates of the Duterte-led PDP-Laban have previously sung and danced in public to garner votes. — Neil Jayson Servallos