DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 14 Oct) – Social media sites are abuzz with former Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s posts on Wednesday with her head getting shaved and hashtags seemingly indicating support for her father in running for president in next year’s elections.
This was a day after she lashed out at a netizen who appealed to her not to be selfish about his father’s political plans in running for the highest post, with her disapproval being the reason he could not make up his mind in heeding the calls of the Filipinos to run.
Her photo on Instagram showing her head being shaved has generated 8,671 likes as of 8:40 p.m. Wednesday, but has garnered even more likes on Facebook at 14,503, and 10,306 shares.
Its caption: “Nagpa upaw nalang ko samtang naghulat #Duterte2016 #kalboparasapagbabago #NohairWecare bisan walay kwarta, bisan way makinarya, bisan mapildi #justDUit.”
Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Danilo Dayanghirang and Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Frank Villaroman at the Gentlemen’s Lounge barbershop in Bo. Obrero here, and Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go in his Facebook post, also had their heads shaved in support of the mayor.
Gentlemen’s Lounge cashier Agnes Cuenco said the barbershop was packed with a crowd composed of media people covering the head shaving of the three city officials. She said more councilors will have their heads shaved on Thursday, although she does not know what time.
His daughter and family’s disapproval and his age have been cited as among the reasons why he is not running, although he said during the “Run Duterte Run” caravan at the Rizal Park in August that there was “50-50” chance that he might.
Duterte will have served a total of 40 years in government service by 2016. He served as government prosecutor for 10 years before he was named OIC vice mayor in 1986; served as mayor from 1988 to 1998; representative of the first district from 1998 to 2001; mayor again from 2001 to 2010; vice mayor from 2010 to 2013. He was elected mayor for the seventh time with his son Paolo as vice mayor.
Duterte read a letter before the Davao media last Monday, stating about his decision to his “years and years of public life in the service of Davao City and every Dabawenyo.” This was the second time that the 70-year-old mayor called for a press conference at the same function room, Blue Chateau, of the Grand Men Seng Hotel after the Sept. 7 announcement.
“I am sorry to disappoint those who spent much and worked hard and long in support of me as I went all over the country espousing the benefits and advantages of federalism.
I therefore beg for everyone’s kind understanding and acceptance of my sincerest apologies. After all, there was no ambition for me to aspire for the presidency.
The country does not need me. I find no need for it. I guess it is fate that wills that our l
ong journey together should end this way,” he said.
He said his daughter sent her letter, which read, “You owe nobody nothing,” and made herself inaccessible afterwards.
In her response to an Instagram post, Sara said, “Do you really think a wise man and seasoned politician will decide on the basis of my opinion?”
During the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) meeting at the SMX Convention Center Davao, Duterte-Carpio said that she would give her all-out support to her father should he decide to run, but she added the mayor better stays in the city because he will be facing multitudes of problems as president.
On Friday night, Duterte told reporters that “all options are on the table but do not bet on it (Presidency).”
He said that if showed up at the Commission on Elections office on October 15 (Thursday), he might run as president. The filing for the certificate of candidacy ends on Friday.
If not president, he will run as mayor again next year if Sara, who served as vice mayor from 2007 to 2010 and mayor from 2010 to 2013, will not stage a comeback because he said it is hard to lose a political base.
