Sara Duterte says she decided to run for VP to heed supporters' call

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Sunday said she decided to run for Vice President in Eleksyon 2022 in response to the call of her supporters to serve the country.

"I am here to answer your call," Mayor Sara said in a video message uploaded on her Facebook page.

Sara, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, said she has already decided not to join the presidency bid. In fact, last month she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for reelection as Davao mayor.

Supporters however have not stopped asking her to take part in the national elections.

"Nagdesisyon na ako na huwag tumakbo pagka-Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Subalit wala pa ring humpay ang inyong mga panawagan kahit na pagkalipas ng ikawalo ng Oktubre," she said. October 8 was the last day of filing of COCs for Eleksyon 2022.

(I already decided not to run for President of the Philippines. However, your appeals never stopped even after October 8.) 

"I have thousands of supporters who cried last October 8 and I cannot find it in my heart to make them cry again on November 15," she added. November 15 is the last day set by the Commission on Elections for substitution of those aspiring for posts in Eleksyon 2022.

"After the deadline, the offer to run for Vice President became an opportunity to meet you halfway. It's a path that would allow me to heed your call to serve our country, and would make me a stronger person and public servant in the years that lie ahead," Sara said.

On Saturday, through an authorized representative, Sara filed her COC for Vice President under Lakas CMD. She substituted for Lyle Uy who withdrew his COC.

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.

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.

On Saturday, just hours after Sara filed her COC for vice president, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, accompanied by President Duterte, withdrew his COC for Vice President under PDP Laban and filed his COC for President under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), a political party led by senatorial aspirant Greco Belgica.

This was after Senator Bato dela Rosa withdrew his COC for President.

President Duterte, meanwhile, on Saturday said he will run for Vice President in Eleksyon 2022.

'Stay calm'

Sara asked her supporters to let PDP Laban "resolve" their own issues.

"I appeal to all supporters to stay calm. The problems of PDP are their own. Let them resolve the issues within their party. This is all politics  and this will not matter in the years to come, or even now when what we need to focus on is our country's recovery and the people's welfare. So let us be circumspect and stay the course, focused on forging relationships to unite for the good of our country," she said.

"As we settle down for a peaceful Sunday, let us reflect on the words from Brahma Kumaris: The drama of life consists of elements of both destiny and freedom of choice. Mahal ko po kayo. Mahalin po natin ang Pilipinas. Shukran," Sara said. —KG, GMA News