MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's decision to withdraw in her mayoral bid on Tuesday sparked speculations about her plan for the May 2022 national elections.
Many have come to the conclusion that it meant that Duterte-Carpio would follow her father's political move and become a substitute candidate for a national post. The filing of the Certificate of Candidacy ran from October 1 to 8 but the candidate substitution would be permitted until November 15. After which, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will finalize the list of candidates for the elections.
But can Duterte-Carpio run as a substitute candidate?
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez clarified that Duterte-Carpio can run as a substitute candidate but under certain conditions. Under the law, she can stand as a substitute candidate only if she runs under a political party that has a candidate for a national post.
This means that Duterte-Carpio must change her political party if she decides to run. Currently, she is the founder and chairperson of "Hugpong ng Pagbabago" (HNP). There is no presidential or vice presidential candidate under HNP because it is a regional party.
Jimenez explained, "Not as HNP, because that is not the political party of the person that she, whoever it is, would be representing. And why is that? Because HNP is a regional party, which means they are unable to file national candidates.”
UPDATE: Sara resigns from HNP parylist as substitution rumors continues
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| Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's decision to withdraw his mayoral bid has sparked speculations | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Sara Duterte-Carpio |
Many have come to the conclusion that it meant that Duterte-Carpio would follow her father's political move and become a substitute candidate for a national post. The filing of the Certificate of Candidacy ran from October 1 to 8 but the candidate substitution would be permitted until November 15. After which, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will finalize the list of candidates for the elections.
But can Duterte-Carpio run as a substitute candidate?
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez clarified that Duterte-Carpio can run as a substitute candidate but under certain conditions. Under the law, she can stand as a substitute candidate only if she runs under a political party that has a candidate for a national post.
This means that Duterte-Carpio must change her political party if she decides to run. Currently, she is the founder and chairperson of "Hugpong ng Pagbabago" (HNP). There is no presidential or vice presidential candidate under HNP because it is a regional party.
Jimenez explained, "Not as HNP, because that is not the political party of the person that she, whoever it is, would be representing. And why is that? Because HNP is a regional party, which means they are unable to file national candidates.”
UPDATE: Sara resigns from HNP parylist as substitution rumors continues
“If she is going to substitute, then she will have to join a political party that already has a candidate for whatever position she wants to substitute,” he added.
Will Duterte-Carpio run for President or VP?
According to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, everything is just going according to plan. He revealed that it has always been the plan of Duterte-Carpio to follow in her father's footsteps. He said there have been "stumbling blocks" that made a delay in her announcement.
"She wanted to be president in the first place since May. Yun naman talaga ang nakikita naman nya e,” Salceda said.
"There were just stumbling blocks towards it. So in order to clear it, di naman niya pwedeng diktahan ang tatay niya. So she had her way of clearing these roadblocks. She wanted to be president," he added.
Will there be a possibility of a Bongbong-Sara tandem?
Many, including the supporters of presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, are expecting that Duterte-Carpio would run alongside him as vice president. Both Marcos and Duterte-Carpio are big names in the presidential race. If Salceda is right, a possible face-off might just happen.
Following Duterte-Carpio's withdrawal of mayoral bid, Marcos' party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) commented that they are more focused on his presidential run more than anything else.
PFP secretary-general Thompson Lantion stressed that Marcos remains to be the “most qualified” candidate as he has the “best” platform to rule the country. He added that they would accept Duterte-Carpio in the group, only if she also supports federalism.
“Kung talagang nasa loobin nya (Sara) ay naniniwala siya sa ating hanay ng federalism system of governance ay maluwag namin siyang tatanggapin sa aming hanay… kung sakali ‘yun magandang tandem ‘yun para sa kaunlaran naman," he admitted.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Will Duterte-Carpio run for President or VP?
According to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, everything is just going according to plan. He revealed that it has always been the plan of Duterte-Carpio to follow in her father's footsteps. He said there have been "stumbling blocks" that made a delay in her announcement.
"She wanted to be president in the first place since May. Yun naman talaga ang nakikita naman nya e,” Salceda said.
"There were just stumbling blocks towards it. So in order to clear it, di naman niya pwedeng diktahan ang tatay niya. So she had her way of clearing these roadblocks. She wanted to be president," he added.
Will there be a possibility of a Bongbong-Sara tandem?
Many, including the supporters of presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, are expecting that Duterte-Carpio would run alongside him as vice president. Both Marcos and Duterte-Carpio are big names in the presidential race. If Salceda is right, a possible face-off might just happen.
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| Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos met with Sara Duterte-Carpio in Cebu | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Sara Duterte |
Following Duterte-Carpio's withdrawal of mayoral bid, Marcos' party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) commented that they are more focused on his presidential run more than anything else.
PFP secretary-general Thompson Lantion stressed that Marcos remains to be the “most qualified” candidate as he has the “best” platform to rule the country. He added that they would accept Duterte-Carpio in the group, only if she also supports federalism.
“Kung talagang nasa loobin nya (Sara) ay naniniwala siya sa ating hanay ng federalism system of governance ay maluwag namin siyang tatanggapin sa aming hanay… kung sakali ‘yun magandang tandem ‘yun para sa kaunlaran naman," he admitted.
— Sally, The Summit Express
