Guiguinto, Bulacan mayor allows, backs signature campaign urging Sara Duterte to run for president

Guiguinto, Bulacan Mayor Ambrosio "Boy" Cruz Jr. on Wednesday said he allowed groups to conduct a signature campaign in his town to urge Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to run for president in the 2022 elections.

In an interview over Super Radyo DZBB, Cruz said the groups who backed President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 elections had been conducting the signature campaign in his town.

"These are the same groups na umiikot at iyon nga nagpapatulong siyempre ang gusto nila makumbinse si Mayor Sara na tumakbo [These are the same groups going around and asking for help. Of course they want to convince Mayor Sara to run]," said Cruz, when asked about reports on the campaign.

He added that the volunteers were not forcing residents to sign.

Sought for her reaction as regards the signature campaign in Guiguinto, Sara said, "No comment."

Department of the Interior and Local Government chief Eduardo Año told GMA News Online that he was leaving it up to the Commission on Elections to act on the matter.

"We'll take actions if there are violations of health protocols and IATF omnibus guidelines. But on political campaigning it is within the mandate of Comelec," Año said.

Cruz said the groups were looking to gather 17 million signatures to call on Sara to run for president.

Asked if he allowed the campaign, Cruz said he gave his permission because he could not stop the "expression" of the public on elections.

"Opo, at the end of the day, expression ng tao hindi natin pwedeng pigilan. Mahalaga magkaroon ng consensus. Ako rin interesado kung ano ang pulso ng aking kababayan," Cruz said.

[Yes, at the end of the day, we can't stop their expression. We need to have a consensus. I am also interested in their opinions.]

He also admitted that he already signed off on the call.

"Opo kasama ako sa pumirma [Yes, I joined the signature campaign]," Cruz said.

Reacting to critics that the move was a form of "early campaigning," the town mayor said this could not be avoided.

"Alam naman po ninyo, tayong lahat ng Pilipino kasi maraming nakatuon ang pansin sa politika. Wala tayong magawa malapit na halalan," Cruz said.

[Filipinos are focusing on politics. We can't do anything because the elections are drawing near.]

He said groups from other parties were also welcome to conduct their signature campaign and surveys in the town.

"Kahit ibang partido. Ang maganda dito malaya ang lahat para makita po natin. (Other parties are welcome. What's good here is democracy so that we'll see.)," Cruz said. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News