By Gabriela Baron
It is not that uncommon that a vice president has tried to run for the highest position. However, only two Philippine vice presidents have so far succeeded.
In 1998, former President Joseph Estrada, who served as the country’s vice president from 1992 to 1998, won the presidential race.
Meanwhile, ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who took over as president in 2001 with the ouster of Estrada, won the 2004 national elections to a full six-year term.
For political analyst Ramon Casiple, it would make sense for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to eye the presidency in the future. If she wins as vice president in the upcoming May 9 polls, of course.
Casiple cited Vice President Leni Robredo who is running for president as an independent candidate.
“Well, si Leni Robredo tumatakbong presidente ngayon, vice president sya. Why not? Wala namang problema,” Casiple told PTV in an exclusive interview.
“Pero ang sasabihin ko sa kanya, tiyakin n’yang may partido siya. Kasi hindi n’ya kayang ipanalo ang sarili on the basis nung constituents ng kanyang tatay o ng kanyang maaabot. Obligado na magkaroon ng organisasyon. Political party in short,” he continued.
Duterte-Carpio is running under Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). She also serves as the chairperson for Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
The Davao City Mayor, Casiple added, needs to have a “serious political preparedness” should she decide to gun for the highest position.
“Kailangan n’yang maghanda. Kung wala siyang paghahanda, serious na political preparedness, walang dating ang ano mang ambition n’ya for national office. Lalo pa hindi naman talaga siya naging national official,” he added. – ag
