Mayor Sara Duterte denies Harry Roque’s claim that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte wants her to be his successor

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has denied Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque’s claim that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte urged her to run for the presidency next year.

Roque said Duterte told him “some time ago” during a private conversation that he wanted his daughter to be the next president.

“Minsan, nilapitan ako ni Presidente: ‘Spox, kailangan alam mo ‘to. Ang gusto kong tumakbo talaga, si Inday Sara. Pero kung ayaw talaga, kailangan mamili tayo who has the numbers between sa tatlo,’” Roque said in a press briefing, adding that Duterte said he’d also back Sen. Manny Pacquiao, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso if they plan on becoming his successor.

Duterte earlier stated that women are not fit to be president and that he doesn’t want his daughter to eye the position.

“‘Yong mga sinasabi naman niyang words of discouragement kay Mayor Sara, kung pakikinggan n’yo, it’s because ayaw niya ‘yong hardship, ayaw niya ‘yong mga negative aspect ng presidency na maranasan ng kaniyang anak,” said Roque.

“Pero at the same time, malinaw ang sabi niya sa ‘kin, na diumano ayaw daw ni Mayor Sara, and he has to be ready with his candidate,” he added.

However, Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday refuted Roque’s claim, stressing that her father “never told me to run” and that both her parents have discouraged her from becoming the most powerful individual in the country.

She recalled Duterte telling her that the top position could “destroy” her.

“PRRD said everyone and everything will destroy me if I run and maybe win for President. My mother said she will miss me if I leave Davao City. Baka iba ang sinasabi ni PRRD kay Sec. Roque,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Roque earlier mentioned that he’d only run for senator if Duterte-Carpio will run for the president.

Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional political party Duterte-Carpio formed in 2018, is giving her until July to make the big decision.

“Sige lang, may 31 days naman ang July,” Duterte-Carpio said on radio.

“Magpasalamat ko sa tanan nga suporta, and trust and confidence sa mga tao nga nag-form sa IPM.” she added.

Last January, Duterte-Carpio made it clear that the ideal year to run for the presidency is 2034.

Duterte has less than a year left in office and has stated that running for vice president is entirely possible.