Cabinet Secretary and PDP-Laban member Karlo Nograles said PDP-Laban members would naturally support Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte should she run for President in the May 2022 elections.
“She is a Duterte. She is the daughter of the President. There will always be that natural inclination to support Mayor Sara in whatever decision she makes,” the secretary said in an ANC interview.
“You do not have to be a member of PDP-Laban for PDP-Laban to support you. If the entire party says we will support Inday Sara for President, she is not required to join the party,” he added.
Mayor Sara Duterte has said she would not join his father’s party and that she will remain with Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) of Davao Region and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) of Davao City.
“It is not unusual for parties to support someone from a different party. If that will be the decision of the party, for instance, to support Mayor Inday Sara, even if she is not a member of PDP-Laban, the party can adopt her or support her,” he said.
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PDP-Laban members to support Sara Duterte: Nograles
“That being said, the more natural inclination for our party-mates is to support the President’s decision, him being our national chair. We are looking, waiting for the President, for his decision/recommendation,” Nograles said.
However, the Cabinet Secretary did not confirm whether their party would push for the Duterte-Duterte tandem in the 2022 elections.
“Everything is still up in the air. Bottom line with our party, we support President Duterte. We are trying to convince him to run for Vice President, giving him the discretion to recommend who he thinks should run for President,” Nograles said.
“Whatever decision it is, it will go through the party’s process. It is not just the President who will decide,” he added.
However, Malacañang said President Duterte would run for Vice President in the 2022 elections if he receives a message from God.
“A message from God because he said he leaves it to God,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
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