Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday said she is certain that the political opposition cannot spread black propaganda that is enough to damage her public image even if she declares her presidential candidacy in 2022.
“They don’t have anything against me. They don’t have any black propaganda to throw against me,” Duterte-Carpio told the media in a chance interview at the vaccination center located at the Mintal Comprehensive High School, Davao City.
The President’s daughter made the remark when asked by the media if the fear of receiving a lot of criticism is the reason why she remains tight-lipped about her plans for the next elections.
Duterte-Carpio was present in the facility to accompany former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., who is rumored to be her running mate for the next polls, as he is about to take his second dose of Sinovac vaccine.
Matching green shirts
The two were clad in matching green T-shirts that bore health protocols.
Duterte-Carpio said she is “delighted” with Teodoro’s visit to the city, saying that this will help the city government promote its Covid-19 vaccination campaign.
“I am happy that he is here,” she said.
“It is important to me that Sir Gibo is here because if he is not here, the national media won’t be here as well. The importance of vaccination will not be highlighted,” she explained, adding that she is hoping other big personalities will also come to the city to promote the immunization program.
The local chief executive also expressed that she is hopeful that the national government will allocate more vaccines to Davao City.
“This is what our country needs, getting everybody vaccinated,” she emphasized.
Teodoro, for his part, pointed out that he flew to Davao, not for the sake of “politics” but to support Davao City’s public vaccination program.
Solid message
“The solid message” for the visit, he said, is to “trust the public health system.”
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“There’s a time for politics, it’s not this time right now,” he said.
Nevertheless, Teodoro also said that he agrees that Duterte-Carpio should run for president, but he pointed out that it is “too early to say it right now.”
The government, he underscored, should focus on getting the public vaccinated and opening up the economy.
And with his vice-presidential bid, he said: “That would depend on circumstances and only time will tell.”
Four weeks earlier, Teodoro visited Duterte-Carpio for the first time and discussed Covid-19 response.
Teodoro’s ally, former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, claimed that the meeting was held between the Duterte-Carpio and Teodoro to “forge a partnership deal” for the 2022 elections, which the two have yet to confirm.
