Sara Duterte to run for president in 2022, and may have more supporters than Pacquiao — Salceda

The trial balloons for the 2022 presidential elections are now being released bit by bit.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio will run for president in 2022, and may just have more numbers than Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is also tipped to be one of those raring to be the country's chief executive, according to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.

Salceda, in subsequent interviews, said that Duterte-Carpio has confirmed to him in a number of chat conversations her intention to run as president.

In an interview with One News’ The Chiefs yesterday, Salceda said that in 2022, “Sara will run with somebody, not necessarily her father.”

Salceda said as much today in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo.

“There is no doubt in my mind that based on our exchange of chats, and this has been long-running, that she will definitely run in 2022,” Salceda said.

Asked why Duterte-Carpio, who has been coy about her 2022 plans amid being a consistent frontrunner in presidential election surveys, is not making the announcement herself, Salceda said that she is still building political alliances.

President Rodrigo Duterte himself has previously rejected the possibility of his daughter running for president in 2022, famously saying that the presidency was not a job for women.

“I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan ko. Hindi ito pambabae, (I told Inday not to run because I pity what she may go throught. This is not a job for a woman)” Duterte said last January.

Salceda also dismissed talk of Duterte running as Duterte-Carpio’s vice president, as the ticket will “need geographical balance.”

Asked how Duterte-Carpio’s presidential aspiration may square against that of Pacquiao, Salceda said that the former will have more support against the latter.

“There will be more who will support Sara,” Salceda said. “I am sure of that, I know my colleagues in congress and I have a lot of friends among governors and party members.”

Pacquiao called out last Monday, May 31, a faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), of which he is the acting vice president, for holding an assembly in Cebu that he said is not allowed under the party’s laws. But the meeting proceeded, with the party adopting a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president in 2022.

Asked who could be a potential running mate of Duterte-Carpio, Salceda mentioned Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

Meanwhile, Former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya today shared on social media that is heading to Davao with former Defense Sec. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.

“On my way with my Vice President to meet my President. Done deal folks,” said Andaya.

Over the weekend, a photo of Duterte with former Sen. Bongbong Marcos was also released, raising the possibility of a Duterte-Marcos tandem in 2022.