Sara Duterte, 2019 and beyond

Why not! The President’s daughter as the chief occupant of Malacañang Palace in 2022?

In Philippine politics, this is not unusual. We have Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reviving her father’s legacy, former President Diosdado Macapagal, for nine years. Then past President Benigno Noynoy Aquino Jr. perpetuating his mother’s memory, Corazon Aquino.

If not for his plunder case, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada should have been following the road his father, now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, took towards Arlegui St.

Sen. Grace Poe, still a consistent presidential hopeful, still aspires to continue her dad’s botched presidency, the late Fernando Poe Jr., whom many believed to have been the 14th President of the Republic.

And still up and about fighting for the vice-presidential position in the Supreme Court is Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Of course, the buck does not stop there, he has his eyes on vindicating his dad, the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos.

Comebacking senatoriable aspirant, Mar Roxas, positively is gunning for the position his grandfather, Manuel Roxas, occupied in post-WWII era.

Queried about the matter for her consideration, the lowly mayor of Davao City shrugged it off but not without a hint that she would pray over it and decide when the proper time comes.

But what exactly is the proper time. I guess it should be now!

The anticipated success of her country-wide campaign trail for her party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) anointed senatoriables, could be a litmus test of her acceptability and stature within the wider range of the electorate and, therefore, the like-ability and chances of landing among the presidential bets for 2022.

Her exposure to national politics through a national level campaign would put her at the forefront of seeing, listening, feeling and relating to what the rest of the nation need from a national leadership.

The results of the tight senatorial race could prompt the younger Duterte to view from a political and moral calculation those whom she had to face off if ever she decides to run.

Easily and predictably, there is Sen. Grace Poe, the rumored second attempt of Manny Villar or “Bongbong” Marcos and, of course, Mar Roxas. The sitting Vice President, Leni Robredo, would not let go of an ambition so close and imminent. The center left would definitely field one of their own, possibly, Risa Hontiveros.

However, the vantage of the advantage rests on Sara Duterte’s fresh image in national politics, something similar to the charisma that catapulted her dad to the presidency in the last elections.

Except for “Bongbong” Marcos, who was governor of Ilocos Norte for three consecutive terms, the other presidentiables are wanting in the experience of rendering public service from the grassroots at the local levels of governance.

Sara Duterte has that invaluable and essential experience, being mayor of Davao City.

Except for VP Leni Robredo, whose electoral victory is still in the roast, the other hopefuls are non-lawyers. Sara Duterte is a lawyer.

And if the religious groups, particularly the Catholic Church and the Iglesia ni Cristo, would cast their preferences, then Sara Duterte could deflect with ease the religious votes to herself.

Besides having a moral clean slate both as a person and as a public servant, she is known to be a religious-prone person.

In her campaign trail she never misses out on the shrines and churches, bringing her intentions in bended knees in religious piety.

Sara Duterte can be the next president of this country and why not?

I just hope no heads would be shaved to convince her to run!