Rody’s pick, not Sara

Mr. Duterte said that he does not want Sara to vie for the top post.

Two Fathers President Rodrigo Duterte, who does not want Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to follow his path to Malacañang, expresses his condolences to business tycoon Lucio Tan, who lost his son and namesake to brain herniation. Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go joins them at the wake of Bong Tan. MALACAñANG PHOTO

Like the past leaders before him, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night disclosed his plan to anoint a possible successor in 2022.

But it is not going to be his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Talking to friends, followers and allies present at the joint-birthday celebration of Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco — the presumptive next Speaker of the House of Representatives — and his wife Rowena in a restaurant in San Juan, the Chief Executive assured his crowd that he will throw his support to the politician of his choice in the next presidential elections.

But considering the rigors of the presidency that made him consider taking a short break from office, Mr. Duterte also said that he does not want Sara to vie for the top post.

The President’s statement surprised some of those within earshot of him as Sara was his anointed successor to the Davao City mayoralty post, twice.

Sara was elected as the city’s first woman mayor from 2010-2013 after her father had completed his second three terms of nine years. She succeeded her father once again in 2016 when he won as president.

“Not the boxer from Davao,” Mr. Duterte also once said publicly when he brushed her aside for his possible successor. The President called his daughter a “boxer” in reference to an incident when the Davao City mayor lost her cool and boxed a court sheriff who implemented the demolition of urban poor shanties in Davao City in 2011.

Among his audience Monday night was eight-division world boxing champion and now Senator Manny Pacquiao who is not hiding his intention of seeking the presidency.

Also present were Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) president and CEO Ramon S. Ang and Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo did not discount Pacquiao’s chances if he decides to seek the highest elective post as he said any qualified citizen of the Philippines can run.

“The constitution gives requirements so anybody, any citizen of this country passing basic qualifications, can be president,” Panelo told reporters.

“You must remember, the housewife Cory Aquino became a president,” he added.

When asked if Pacquiao would be a good or effective president, Panelo replied that it “remains to be seen.”

“Anybody can be a good president… until he sits in the office,” he added.

The 1987 Constitution that is still in effect says an individual may become President provided he is a natural-born Filipino, a registered voter, must be able to read and write, 40 years of age at the day of the election and must have resided in the Philippines 10 years before the election is held.

The President mentioned Pacquiao during his speech as among those who might be entertaining thoughts running for the president in May 2022.

“Politicians should think about it carefully. Manny, I think Manny is entertaining, well it’s good,” the President said.

“Getting tired is the only thing you get from this work,” he also said on the eve of his intended three-day work from home schedule.

Mr. Duterte had earlier wanted to use those days for a short leave after receiving advice from friends and fellow government officials.

Panelo said the President lacks sleep, and it was obvious during his recent trips overseas.

“He was advised by friends, even his physician, to take some rest,” Panelo said. “He was inclined to take them but said he can work through the volume of papers needing his study in Davao.”

But while he assured to pick a successor, President Duterte said he will not influence or meddle in the term-sharing conflict that is now wedging House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Velasco.

Velasco is supposed to assume the House Speakership in October next year, but Cayetano has declared his intention to finish all three years of their term despite agreeing to a 15-21 deal that is known as the “Magellan formula” in reference to year of the Portuguese navigator’s arrival in the Philippines.

As Cayetano earlier claimed, he is supposed to lead the House for 15 months before he gives way to Velasco, who is supposed to rule for 21 months until 2022.

The third candidate for the speakership then, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, settled for the House Majority leadership for three years under Cayetano and, if the deal pushes through, Velasco.

“I just want to say, I am sincere in following the President’s 15-21 formula,” Cayetano said on Monday after he was pressed about his hanging decision whether to allow Velasco to take his turn at the speakership.

Cayetano, however, changed his tune late last month when he said he would be willing to serve as House Speaker for full three years if Velasco would agree to it.

The incumbent speaker also said the decision will be up to the President, being the head of the ruling party — Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, prompting Mr. Duterte to declare that he will not meddle in the issue.

Cayetano is a member of the Nacionalista Party, while Velasco is with the President’s party.

“A gentlemen’s agreement is a gentlemen’s agreement,” Velasco, however, said. “What I know is, the agreement is still on. Based on the gentlemen’s agreement, I will see you next year as the Speaker of the House.”