Negros Occidental supporters of Sara Duterte are hoping her quitting the Davao City mayoral race means she will run for president in the 2022 polls.
Retired police colonel William Señoron, convenor of the Alliance and Broadcasting Committee-Negros Occidental, said their members are still hopeful the Davao mayor will run for president.
“Pandayona (continue) Inday Sara,” he said.
The mayor in a Facebook post Tuesday, November 9, announced that she had officially withdrawn her bid to run for mayor of Davao City.
Her brother Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte will be running for mayor of Davao in her place, she said.
She, however, did not say if she would run for president or vice president, amid speculation that she will opt to be the runningmate of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Mayors Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, Rhumyla Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran and Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan said they would support the Davao mayor if she runs for president or vice president.
Jaojoco said “it is possible Sara would go for BBM’s vice president then that would be a formidable team to beat.”
He would support both of them, Jaojoco said.
Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca said he has committed to support the Davao mayor for president and Senator Bong Go for vice president.
Silay City Mayor Mark Golez said his commitment is to support the Davao mayor for president and will see whom he will support for vice president on November 15.
Duterte’s withdrawal of her mayoral bid was expected, former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscoluela said.
Coscolluela, convenor of the Negros for Leni group, said “Let the games begin.”*