Gloria says Sara a ‘rising star’ but won’t comment on 2022 just yet

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has recognized the increasing political influence of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, leader of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago that has endorsed 13 candidates for senator in May 2019 elections.

Asked about her thoughts about President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter running for president three years from now, Arroyo said, "Let me just say she is a rising star in Philippine politics."

"Even Senator [Panfilo] Lacson saw that," she added.

Arroyo, a daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal and herself a former President, said children of past presidents have "historically" risen from the ranks and have been involved in politics.

She, however, balked at commenting on future polls.

"Let's take it one election at a time. Let's make sure first the good people are elected  now and let us talk about 2022 later on," Arroyo said.

Arroyo and Sara have developed closer ties over the past few months after the former replaced Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker.

Sara, who had a falling out with Alvarez, had been reported to have had a hand in his ouster from the helm of the House of Representatives.

On February 12, no less than Arroyo herself graced the kick-off of HNP's senatorial campaign in Pampanga, her homeprovince.

Arroyo said she would support the campaign of the senators under the HNP slate, and she would go to campaign sorties with them "as needed." —NB, GMA News