Sara Duterte to decide on presidential bid by 2021

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte on Monday, February 18, said she will decide on a possible bid for presidency by 2021. 

In a chance interview with reporters during a campaign sortie for the senatorial bets of her Hugpong ng Pagbabago party in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Sara said there are things to consider before she decides to run to be the successor of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte. 

“It needs money, machinery, at pinakaimportante sa lahat ‘yung wisdom at guidance ng Panginoon. Siguro gawa na lang tayo ng deadline, January of 2021,” Duterte-Carpio said. (And most important of all, the wisdom and guidance of the Lord. Maybe let’s just set a deadline, January of 2021.)

She said the bid cannot be decided overnight.

She also explained, amid talks that she is being groomed as the next president, that she is only helping her father get through the latter’s remaining 3 years as President.

Her statement came after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters it would not be a surprise if Sara becomes the next president. 

For now, however, Sara Duterte urged her supporters to stop calling her the “next president” as this would make her the target of others who are also eyeing the presidency. 

“I wish they would not talk about me like that dahil ‘yung mga gustong mag-president as early as now, ilalagay nila ako sa number 1 sa hate list nila,” she added. (Those who want to be president will, as early as now, put me at Number 1 on their hate list.) – Rappler.com