‘Run, Sara, Run’: Campaigns to support Duterte’s daughter for presidency next year are ramping up

The daughter of Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte says she has no plans to run for the presidency next year. Her father believes that the presidency is no job for a woman.

But few are convinced by either of them as campaigns grow to back Sara Duterte-Carpio, 42, to succeed the autocratic and capricious president whose war on drugs killed thousands and whose embrace of China has convulsed historic ties with Washington.

Sara Duterte’s image is as down-to-earth as that of her father in a country where tough plays well: she once punched a court official who challenged her; she rides big motorbikes; her children are nicknamed Sharkie, Stingray, and Stonefish.

Opinion polls show her far ahead of other potential candidates for the 2022 election when Duterte must step down after one six-year term.

But Sara Duterte told Reuters she had thought carefully and decided not to try to extend the political dynasty to the presidency after succeeding her father as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

Posters, banners, stickers, T-shirts, calendars bearing the younger Duterte’s image with the words “Run, Sara, Run” have popped up across the archipelago of 108 million people. Her supporters say she has nothing to do with the campaigns.

“Run, Sara, Run” calls have increased among the millions of Filipinos abroad, a key support base of Duterte.

In Cebu City, more than 500 motorcycles joined a motorcade for the “Sara Duterte for President Movement” on Mar 28 to convince the older Duterte to get her to run.

“I thank all of them for their trust and confidence,” Sara Duterte said. “Not everyone wants to be president.”