MANILA – The People’s Reform Party (PRP) has officially adopted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as its vice presidential candidate in the May 9 national and local elections.
Lawyer Narciso Santiago, the party president, made the announcement Wednesday. Santiago is the husband of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
“Ang buong paniniwala namin at ng buong PRP, siya (Duterte) ang karapat-dapat na Vice President ng ating bansa (We and the entire PRP believe that she is the rightful Vice President of our country,” Santiago said.
Sara also graced the inauguration of the party’s campaign headquarters which was the office of the late senator.
“It is an honor, and I am humbled by this opportunity na ibinigay po ng PRP sa atin (given to us by PRP),” Sara said.
The vice presidential hopeful also expressed her admiration to the late Senator Miriam for her legacy as a public servant and her strong stand against corruption.
“Everybody loved Miriam Santiago. Alam na natin ano yung contributions niya sa ating bansa (We know already what her contributions to our country),” she added.
The late senator ran for the presidency in 2016 along with now President Rodrigo Duterte. In a presidential debate, Santiago lauded Duterte’s administration as mayor of Davao City. In return, Duterte was also all praises for the senator, even calling her as someone “who could be the next president.”
A few months after the 2019 presidential race, Santiago succumbed to lung cancer.
Meanwhile, Sara Duterte thanked all the supporters who attended Tuesday’s UniTeam proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa team ni Bongbong Marcos, sa UniTeam, sa production staff, at sa lahat po ng pumunta doon sa Philippine Arena para maki-isa at magpakita ng suporta at ipalawak ang pagkakaisa na message ng UniTeam (I would like to thank the team of Bongbong Marcos, UniTeam, production staff, and everyone who went to the Philippine Arena to join and show support to the UniTeam’s message of unity),” she said.
Sara is in the National Capital Region for her Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNRP) which is now on its 9th day. (PR)