Charles Teves
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s move to withdraw her candidacy for reelection in next year’s national elections left no one surprised.
She said her brother, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, will substitute her.
“Ngayong hapon wini-withdraw ko ang akong kandidatura sa pagka-Mayor ng Davao City. Si VM Baste ang papalit sa akin,” she said in a statement.
“Si Atty. Melchor Quitain ang nominado namin sa pagka-Bise Alkalde. Ito lamang po muna. Maraming salamat po,” she added.
But before she pulled out, her younger brother had already withdrawn his reelection bid on Tuesday.
Many supported Duterte-Carpio’s decision, but only a few were surprised.
Jake Ejercito, a staunch critic of the current administration, said the withdrawal was very much expected.
Deja vulok https://t.co/wG5I36qq0g
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) November 9, 2021
Richard Heydarian couldn’t agree more.
Wow, I’m so shocked 😉😜🤭👊 pic.twitter.com/P6mpGqDFpx
— Richard Heydarian (@RichHeydarian) November 9, 2021
word of honor. bakit ang hirap hirap mong hanapin?
— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) November 9, 2021
Record producer Rox Santos couldn’t help but laugh.
OMG!!! Nakakangulat! Grabeeeeer!! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/oNwprBh6Ie
— Roque Santos (@roxsantos) November 9, 2021
Pa-suspense pa, replay naman! 😂 https://t.co/0saANk3Sre
— Ederic Eder (@ederic) November 9, 2021
And the drama continues.
Kunwari uli, nagulat tayo.
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/cwjeobnEr0
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) November 9, 2021
Content creator Rod Magaru predicts that Duterte-Carpio seeks to succeed her father for the top position in the country and wants none of it.
PAPAUTO BA TAYO ULIT? NO. #EnoughOfDuterte
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) November 9, 2021
As expected😏 Hindi na kami surprised. https://t.co/EevEZRPqHC
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) November 9, 2021
Ging Reyes shares the same sentiment.
COC withdrawals begin. And this is the most anticipated of all. Substitutions soon. https://t.co/rFm9tf56SE
— GING REYES (@gingreyes) November 9, 2021
What I always tell my students: if you know Public Relations, you can smell BS from a distance. I also tell them, if you know PR too well, you can't be easily fooled by politicians. https://t.co/G9RjMhvPTC
— ჯეფერსონი (@jeffscribbles) November 9, 2021
Duterte-Carpio withdrew after she fired her public information officer Jefry Tupas following the latter’s admission that he was at a beach party in Davao de Oro’s Mabini town later raided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a buy-bust operation.
Some speculate that the firing of Tupas was on purpose so Duterte-Carpio would have a reason to run for the presidency.
All this after news broke of the Mayor's information officer being at a party supposedly just hours before said party was shut down in a drug raid.
— Menchu Macapagal (@menchumacapagal) November 9, 2021
She had earlier met with presidential aspirants Bongbong Marcos Jr in Cebu City and Senator Bato Dela Rosa in Davao City.
Senator Bong Go meanwhile said his candidacy for the vice presidency might change.
“Maaaring may magbabago sa mga tatakbong posisyon sa mga darating na araw,. Ang problema po d’yan, kailangan ko umiwas,” he said a speech in Antipolo City.
“Gustuhin ko man pong magsilbi sa inyo bilang bise presidente dahil sa kagustuhan ng mahal na pangulo, kailangan ko pong umiwas. Malalaman n’yo po ‘yan sa mga darating na araw,” he added.
Substitutions via withdrawal will be allowed by the Commission on Elections until November 15.
