By Jennylou Canon

PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer

"I think I will only run if Mayor Inday Sara will run for the position of president"

This was Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque's answer when he was asked in an interview about his plans for the 2022 national elections.

Roque added that he is hoping that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will run for presidency in 2022.

“I think as a card-bearing member of PRP [People’s Reform Party], the party of Miriam Defensor-Santiago, this Inday Sara I believe has the same qualities as Miriam Defensor-Santiago to become president. I’m one of those who are praying that Mayor Sara will in fact seek the presidency,” he said.

However, despite Roque's support for Duterte-Carpio, President Rodrigo Duterte remained firm on telling his daughter to not run for presidency in the 2022 elections.

The spokesperson later commented on Duterte's remarks, saying that the president does not wish for his family to suffer the hardships of presidency.

"I think the President merely emphasized that given the hardships of being president, he does not want it, he doesn’t wish it on his family which is understandable coming from a good father. But I think Mayor Sara will eventually make up her mind and she will have to decide on her own regardless of what her father says,” Roque said.

He also added that if Duterte-Carpio is elected as president, she knows that "the challenges are very great."