Sara Duterte to run for VP as substitute for Lakas-CMD aspirant Lyle Uy

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Saturday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president for Eleksyon 2022 under the Lakas-CMD party.

This, after Lyle Uy of Lakas-CMD withdrew his COC for vice president and named Sara as his substitute.

No statement from Mr Lyle Uy after filing withdrawal as Lakas-CMD candidate for vice president @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vFzx2r3hQq

— Dano Tingcungco (@danotingcungco) November 13, 2021

Uy did not give any statement after withdrawing his COC for vice president.

Atty. Charo Munsayac filed Sara’s COC on her behalf before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Atty. Reynold  Munsayac confirmed to reporters the filing of Sara's COC, as shared by GMA News reporter Dano Tingcungco on Twitter.

"Mayor Sara Duterte through her authorized representative has filed a certificate of candidacy for the position of vice president under Lakas-CMD," Munsayac said.

"Mayor Inday Sara will issue her official statement and answer relevant questions in due time," he added.

Atty Reynold Munsayac confirms filing of COC for Vice President on behalf of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, says other matters regarding substitution will be answered “in due time” @gmanews pic.twitter.com/2i4pUtYh9M

— Dano Tingcungco (@danotingcungco) November 13, 2021

Meanwhile, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the party of presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., issued a resolution on Saturday adopting Sara as its vice presidential bet and Marcos Jr.'s running mate.

Mayor Sara has yet to issue a statement on whether she accepts PFP’s endorsement.

Lakas-CMD chairperson Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., meanwhile, said the party was looking to adopt a presidential aspirant who would run in tandem with Mayor Sara. 

"We are honored that Mayor Sara accepted the challenge to help lead the party at a crucial time when the nation desperately needs a steady leader who can inspire us all to bounce back from the ravages of the pandemic," Lakas-CMD president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said. 

"We —his partymates in the Senate, House of Representatives, Provincial Governments, City Governments and Municipal Governments— are all committed to work double time to ensure Mayor Sara’s victory as the country’s next Vice President." 

Reacting to the developments, House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate urged the political opposition to prevent Marcos Jr. and Mayor Sara from clinching the two highest posts in the government next year. 

"A potential 'dictatorannical' regime is now in the political horizon, thus, it behooves on all democratic, non-administration candidates and forces to unite their efforts and thwart this from happening," Zarate said in a statement.

"We call on the opposition to put aside their differences and forge a broad united force against the 'mad' (Marcos and Duterte) tandem that has the state machinery and the plundered money of our people at their disposal," he added.

Mayor Sara's filing of her COC for vice president came two days after she joined Lakas-CMD.

This came after Hugpong ng Pagbabago secretary general Anthony Del Rosario announced that Mayor Sara has resigned from the regional party.

Under the Comelec's calendar for Eleksyon 2022, substitution for a candidate in a national or local post can be filed from the end of the COC filing period until November 15, 2021. —KG/VBL, GMA News