Malacañang on Monday said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte would not seek the presidency in 2022 and focus on being reelected in her local post.
Duterte has shut down rumors about her running for president numerous times, but she recently raised eyebrows after meetings with pro-administration hopefuls Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Roland “Bato” de la Rosa.
“Nakausap ko po kasi si Governor Gwen Garcia para malaman kung ano talaga iyong napag-usapan sa Cebu. Ang sabi po ni Governor Gwen sa akin ay ang sabi daw ni Mayor Sara on her possibility of running for President, ‘that ship has sailed,’” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said.
“So talagang mayor po ang takbo ni Mayor Sara,” he added.
Duterte’s camp said the Davao mayor met with Marcos over the weekend to discuss how her party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), could help the latter in his presidential bid.
De la Rosa on Monday posted a photo with Duterte with the caption, “Teaser lang muna ito sa aming meeting with Mayor Inday Sara minutes ago at Davao City Hall.”
The senator has expressed willingness to be substituted by Duterte if the latter decided to seek the presidency.
Should Duterte change her mind, she has until Nov. 15, the deadline of candidate substitution John Ezekiel J. Hirro