Laguna provincial council adopts Sara

LAGUNA Vice Gov. Karen Agapay said on Thursday that the provincial council has passed a resolution adopting Davao City Mayor and presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio as Laguna’s daughter.

“This is the resolution that was supported by the province of Laguna led by our beloved Governor Ramil Hernandez, recognizing our beloved Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio as an adopted daughter of Laguna,” Agapay said during a chance interview at the sidelines of an event in Laguna.

Agapay added that the resolution has the blessing of Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez who praised Duterte-Carpio during his speech in front of barangay health workers in Santa Cruz, Laguna on Thursday.

“She is known for her skill. She is not an ordinary mayor, she is an outstanding mayor of the Philippines,” the governor said.

Duterte-Carpio said it was an honor to be an adopted daughter of the province which has over 2.04 million voters.

“I am grateful to the provincial government of Laguna for their declaration adopting me as a daughter of Laguna, and it’s an honor,” she said.

The resolution did not mention an expression of support for Duterte-Carpio’s running mate in the May 9 polls, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos Jr.

Asked if the Laguna Provincial Council would also adopt Marcos, Agapay said, “We will deliberate on that since PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) endorsed Mayor Sara Duterte first.”

Agapay was referring to the decision of the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in January this year to adopt Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate.

Marcos was also endorsed by the ruling party on Tuesday.

Duterte-Carpio also wished her father, President Rodrigo Duterte a happy birthday. Duterte will turn 77 on Monday, March 28.

“Mr. President, happy birthday. I wish you good health and happiness,” DuterteCarpio told reporters during a campaign stop in Laguna.

Duterte, whose term will end in June, is the oldest person to be elected president in the country.

Duterte-Carpio said that she has yet to talk politics with her father following the PDPLaban’s endorsement of Marcos.

“I haven’t talked yet to President Duterte,” she said.

Marcos is the standard-bearer of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, while Duterte-Carpio is running under the LakasChristian Muslim party.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE