By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: PCOO

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte wants his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to run for presidency in the 2022 national elections.

“Sinabi niya na gusto niya i-endorso si Inday Sara pero kung ayaw talaga (The President did say he wanted to endorse Inday Sara, but if she won’t run), let us see who has the numbers: Senator Pacquiao, Mayor Isko (Moreno), former Senator Bongbong Marcos,” Roque said when pressed what are the reasons of fallout between Duterte and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

He added: “Di nakaantay si Senator Pacquiao.”

Moreover, when asked to clarify his statement as Duterte earlier said he dissuaded his daughter to run as president, Roque said the former wanted the latter to run.

“Sinabi niya, gusto n'ya ring tumakbo si Mayor Sara pero ayaw ni Mayor Sara,” he said.

The Palace official, however, did not answer queries on whether Duterte will oust Pacquiao from the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN). He instead said the chief executive does not have long standing relations with the party.

“He recognizes that PDP-Laban is the Pimentel family’s party,” Roque said.

The apparent rift between Duterte and Pacquiao came after the chief executive challenged the senator to prove his claims of alleged corruption in government. Otherwise, the former will campaign against the latter.

After the president’s challenge, Pacquiao accepted the dare and called to start probing the Department of Health’s (DOH) purchase of COVID-19 personal protective equipment and other medical paraphernalia.


Report source: GMA News