Roque says he's praying for Sara Duterte to seek presidency in Eleksyon 2022

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said he is praying for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to heed the calls for her to run for president in 2022.

At his regular press briefing, Roque said he shares President Rodrigo Duterte's position of wanting Sara to seek the presidency, saying she is "the most able candidate" for the post.

“Ito po ang inyong spokesperson, Harry Roque, nananalangin na sana po itong gusto ng nakararaming Pilipino na tumakbong Presidente, Sara Duterte, ay dinggin po ang hinaing ng sambayanan,” Roque said before ending his briefing.

(This is your spokesperson, Harry Roque, praying that Sara Duterte would heed the clamor for her to run for president.)

Earlier in the briefing, Roque said President Duterte believes of Sara's qualifications to run for the top position in the country.

"It's not just me agreeing but also the rest of the Filipino people if we are to believe surveys," he said.

Sara Duterte earlier said in a statement that she will finish her third consecutive term as Davao City mayor instead of running for president in 2022.

Duterte, however, said in an interview on Saturday that his daughter will run for president with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as her running-mate.

Sara did not comment on her reported tandem with Go.

Roque, meanwhile, maintained that he will run for the Senate only if Sara pursues a presidential bid in 2022.

"My certificate of candidacy (COC) is ready in the event Mayor Sara files COC for President," he said.

The filing of candidacy is scheduled from October 1 to 8. The substitution of candidates, however, is allowed until November 15. —KBK, GMA News