Duterte’s daughter confirms father no longer running for president

DAVAO CITY – Former city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said she believes her father will really not run for president.

She said she was elated when her father announced last month that he was retiring from politics in 2016 and hailed it as a “good decision.”

Duterte-Carpio has often expressed her disapproval over her father’s plan to enter the presidential race, explaining her father was already old and had no money to fund the campaign.

“Of course, there’s no filing of candidacy yet, and we do not know what will happen, but I am happy over the mayor’s announcement,” she told the media on the sidelines during the opening ceremony of Kanegosyo Congress at the NCCC Mall here Thursday.

While thousands were still hopeful that her father will still change his mind, Duterte-Carpio has been consistent with her disapproval.

When asked if she will run for mayor next year, the young Duterte said she has not decided whether to run for mayor or seek another post.

While many of Duterte’s supporters are still left hanging whether he will run for president or not, many local residents are anxiously waiting who between Sara and younger brother Paolo will run for the city’s highest post. Paolo is currently the city’s vice mayor.

Duterte-Carpio said she and her brother had earlier agreed they will not go up against each other in contesting a single electoral post.