Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City Mayor and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, removed herself from the mayoral race as a running candidate of Davao City, just days away from the deadline to change candidates for the Presidential Election next year.
Sara withdrew her reelection bid on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and named her brother, Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte instead, as her substitute for the mayoral race.
Like his sister, Baste announced his withdrawal via Facebook post and thanked the Dabawenyos for the support they have given him. He later proceeded to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Office to withdraw his candidacy right after his sister's own withdrawal.
“I have filed my withdrawal as Vice Mayor candidate of Davao City. I hereby nominate Atty. Melchor Quitain Jr. as my substitute,” Baste said.
Sara previously said she was not interested in running for President.
But according to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda in an interview with ANC: "Sara wanted to run for presidency since May, noting that running for Vice President was not an option for her."
Sara, who has been widely tipped to run to succeed her father, did not say why she was withdrawing from the mayoral race, but told supporters that further announcements would be made later.
Sara's image is as down-to-earth as that of her father in a country where tough plays well.
Opinion polls show her far ahead of other potential candidates for the 2022 Election when Duterte must step down after one six-year term.
Other candidates for the presidency include senator and retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, former actor and Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso, incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Bong Bong Marcos amongst many others.
The Philippines holds elections in May 2022 for positions from President down to Governors, Mayors and Local Officials. The window for changing candidates expires on Nov. 15, 2021.