Sara tells supporters not to gather outside Comelec office amid talk of national run

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Friday asked her supporters not to gather outside the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) main office in Manila amid speculation she would run for a national post in the May 2022 polls. 

In a Facebook post, Duterte said she does not want her supporters, as well as members of the media, to get sick, even as she praised their courage and dedication. 

"Sa lahat ng aking mga taga-suporta, pati na po sa mga miyembro ng media — nakikiusap po ako sa inyo na sana ay huwag na kayong mag-camp-out sa labas ng Comelec. Nakikiusap din ako sa mga nasa probinsiya na huwag kayo bumiyahe papunta Manila nandito lang po ako sa Davao City dahil sa sunod-sunod na pag-ulan at pagbaha,” she said.

(I appeal to my supporters and members of the media not to camp out at Comelec. Those in the provinces, you need not go to Manila because I am here in Davao City due to recent rains and flooding.)

"Hindi na kailangan mag-camp-out pa dahil meron pang pandemya at ayoko kayong magkasakit. Ulan at init ng araw ang inyong kalaban. Isipin nyo rin po sana ang kalagayan ng inyong mga pamilya," the mayor said.

(There is no need to camp out amid the pandemic and I don't want anyone getting sick. You will have to endure the rain and heat. Please consider the condition of your family.)

Duterte then vowed to update the public through statements, photos, and videos.

She made the appeal after she withdrew her candidacy for Davao City mayor, resigned from regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, and joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, the political party of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

House Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD president Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday said the party wants Duterte to run for president, although it will support whatever her decision may be. 

Lakas member Anna Capella Velasco had filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for president. Another party member Lyle Fernando Uy had filed a COC for vice president. 

Duterte can only enter the presidential or vice presidential race via substitution.

The deadline for the political parties to field substitute candidates is on November 15. — VBL, GMA News