Harry Roque: “Kung tatanggapin niya po ako, nais ko pong tumakbo kasama niya.”
HARRY ROQUE — The Presidential spokesperson said that he’s reaching out to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte about his possible candidacy for senator in the 2022 elections.
The Palace spokesman said during the Presidential press briefing Thursday that he has always maintained his stand that he will only run for a national post if Mayor Sara will also run for the presidency.
“Kung magbabago isip nya na tatakbo siya, kung tatanggapin niya po ako, eh nais kong tumakbo kasama niya,” Roque told reporters.
Mayor Sara, who recently withdrew from the mayoralty race in Davao City, will need to substitute a presidential aspirant in one of the national parties — either Lakas-CMD’s placeholder, a certain Anna Capela Velasco, or PDP-Laban’s Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
The Palace spokesman revealed that he has already spoken with President Rodrigo Duterte about his plans while he wanted to set a meeting with Mayor Sara this week.
“Si Mayor Sara po, I will reach out to her siguro po maya-maya lang or over the weekend,” Roque said.
READ ALSO: Alfonso Cusi Speaks On Sara Duterte’s Decision To Run For National Position
Mayor Sara was currently in Balesin Island to attend House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s birthday party.
Reports said Mayor Sara was set to meet former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to possibly run for president under Lakas-CMD, which had been denied by Arroyo’s camp.
Roque also noted that Mayor Sara has yet to file a Certificate of Candidacy (COC), further refusing to speak for her since he’s not her spokesperson.
The Palace spokesman was supposed to run for senator during the 2019 midterm elections but the President refused to endorse him. Roque was also expected to file his Certificate of Candidacy last month but said he wouldn’t do so unless Mayor Sara runs for president.
Mayor Sara withdrew her reelection bid for Davao City mayor last November 9 and nominated her brother, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, to take her place.
This led to speculations that Mayor Sara will seek a national post.
Meanwhile, HNP Secretary-General Anthony Del Rosario said that Mayor Sara resigned from Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
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