Sara-Go tandem for 2022 polls, according to President Duterte

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 3) — President Rodrigo Duterte was caught on tape Saturday saying that his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio would run for president alongside his long-time aide Senator Bong Go, who filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president in next year’s elections.

While passing a small group of supporters outside the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City, Duterte was asked by broadcast journalist Rey Langit: “So klaro po ito, Sara-Go? (So, is it clear, Sara-Go?)”

Duterte replied: “Sara-Go na ito (It will be Sara-Go).”

But the incumbent president said he didn’t have any idea when his daughter will file her COC for president.

“Actually, hindi kami nag-u-usap ng pulitika ever since [Actually, we haven’t talked about politics ever since]....I would say that it is for the better,” said Duterte.

Duterte has always discouraged his daughter from succeeding his footsteps for various reasons. Last January, he cautioned her from gunning for the presidency, saying being a president is not a woman’s job.

Despite the declaration from her father that she is running for the top post, however, Duterte-Carpio on Saturday filed her candidacy for reelection as Davao City mayor.

“I have been honored with the gift of trust and respect of many of our fellow Filipinos. Thank you to everyone who have expressed their support. Many of you do not know me and yet you carry me over your shoulders,” the presidential daughter said in a Facebook post.

Duterte-Carpio said earlier this month that she won’t run for president after her father accepted a PDP-Laban faction’s nomination as its vice presidential candidate. But also on Saturday, the Duterte patriarch capped a day of revelations by announcing his retirement from politics.

The Davao City mayor topped the latest Pulse Asia survey, where 20% of the respondents said they would vote for her as president if the elections were held on the day the poll was conducted.

The filing of COCs will be until Oct. 8, but aspirants seeking to substitute those withdrawing from party tickets can file their COCs until Nov. 15. If the reason is due to death or incapacity, substitution will be allowed until midday of May 9.

CNN Philippines asked for permission to use and cite the video of the interview by Rey and JR Langit.