By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi admitted Wednesday (Nov. 10) that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s plans for next year’s elections could alter the country’s current political landscape.
This, after Sara on Tuesday (Nov. 9) backed out of the mayoralty race and named her brother, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, as her substitute.
“In any event, her actions, including any decision to run for a national elective office, will most certainly affect the political landscape,” Cusi, president of PDP-Laban, said in a press statement.
Cusi said the PDP-Laban is watching Sara’s moves following the withdrawal of her re-election bid.
“PDP Laban watches with keen interest the developments on Sara Duterte’s decision to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for Davao City Mayor, especially considering the public support she enjoys,” he said.
Sara’s latest move to drop her candidacy for mayor in Davao City came amid the public’s growing clamor for her to seek the presidency.
Sara has yet to announce whether she would heed or not the calls for her to run for president in the May 9, 2022 elections.
There are speculations that PDP-Laban fielded Senator Ronald dela Rosa as the “placeholder” candidate for Sara.
Cusi earlier said the ruling party never considered Sara as Dela Rosa’s substitute because the Davao City mayor had made a firm stance that she would not run under the PDP-Laban.
Sara is also rumored to be running with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who is seeking the country’s top post.
Political parties only have until Nov. 15 to replace their candidates for the May 9, 2022, national and local elections. (PNA) – bny
