Duterte maintains Sara not running for president

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night again said that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, will not run for president in the 2022 national elections.

The president issued the remark after Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel urged Duterte to press Sara and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his close aide, to run for office.

“Inday Sara is not running. I have really, really put my foot down. Naawa ako sa anak. Ang pulitika nito, kabababuyan,” Duterte said.

Pimentel had asked for "continuity" after Duterte's term ends next year.

“Ang request po namin,  may continuity. Dapat isa sa administration ang ko-continue ng lahat ng ginawa niyo po, lahat ng achievement,” he said.

“Kasi baka pagka ibang presidente, tanggalin lahat yan. Papaano na kami? Kailangan mau continuity. Kailangan kumbinsihin natin si Inday Sara o Senator Bong Go,” he added.

Though Duterte outright rejected the idea of Sara running for office, he did not say anything about Go’s political plans.

Go has said that he will not run for a higher position.

Meanwhile, Duterte also warned the public against former Senator Antonio Trillianes III, one of his most vocal critics.

“Be careful of Trillianes. Be careful of Trillianes. magbantay kayo. He will sell you to the devil. Pag yan ang naka upo? Patay. Walang hiya yan, sa totoo lang,” he said. — BM, GMA News