Sara on local candidates: No endorsement

Vice President Sara Duterte clarified that she is not officially endorsing local candidates in Cebu, including those in the gubernatorial race.

This after Duterte and Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro were seen together in Danao City yesterday, which both parties have stressed was coincidence.

"Wala akong interactions with mga governor candidates except kanina, nasalubong ko yung isang candidate, si Ms. Pam Baricuatro. Meron siyang handshaking sa North Cebu ngayon. So, nagkita kami by chance doon sa labas ng cemetery ng Danao at masaya ako dahil nakita ko sa kanilang mga uniforms nandoon yung pagmumuka ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte," the Vice President said.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta nila sinabihan ko si candidate, si Miss Pam Baricuatro, nagpapasalamat ako dahil sinusuportahan nyo si Pangulong Duterte at tumutulong sila sa panawagan na iuwi na ang ating dating Pangulo dito sa Pilipinas,” she added.

But she said that while Baricuatro has been a friend, she will not be making any local endorsements.

“Wala naman na ganoon. Pero kaibigan ko naman si Ms. Pam Baricuatro, bago pa man nagkaroon nang filing of candidacy, bago pa nagkaroon nang May 2025 elections, ay magkakilala na kami noon pa. Kaya hindi po odd or awkward sa amin magkausap at magkita.”

Baricuatro, however, has been endorsed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as the official gubernatorial candidate of PDP, of which he is chairman, while Vice President Sara Duterte is not a member of PDP.

During their encounter in Danao, Baricuatro and the vice president discussed the situation of the detained former president, the campaign season, and engaged with local residents.

Baricuatro, in her official statement after coincidentally meeting the Vice President while campaigning, clarified that the encounter was neither planned nor meant to be seen as an endorsement.

She said it was simply an authentic meeting between two individuals who have long supported each other’s journey in public service.

“I would like to take this opportunity to clarify recent speculation regarding my brief encounter with Vice President Sara Duterte during her recent visit to Cebu. The Vice President was here in her official capacity as a public servant of the Republic of the Philippines—not to participate in any political activity or endorse any local candidate,” Baricuatro said.

The gubernatorial candidate emphasized the importance of respecting the boundaries between government duty and campaign engagements, especially during the election season.

“I happened to cross paths with the Vice President on my way to a scheduled grassroots leaders’ meeting in Northern Cebu. We exchanged greetings and had a short, private conversation. We have been good friends since 2015, and our personal bond has remained strong through the years,” she said.

Baricuatro reiterated that the moment was not orchestrated and should not be taken as an endorsement.

During her visit, Sara went to the Danao Public Cemetery to look for her relatives from her father’s side.

“Bumisita kami dito sa cemetery ng Danao City kasi nandito yung mga relatives namin sa ’no Duterte side. At hanggang ngayon, hinahanap ko kasi saan yung libingan ng lolo ni dating President Rodrigo Duterte," she explained.

"Noong nakaraan, nandito na ako sa Cebu at sinabi ko na rin sa mga Cebuanos na tulungan nila kami hanapin kung saan nakalibing si Facundo Duterte. Siya yung lolo ni dating President Duterte. So hanggang ngayon hindi pa namin mahanap. So, every time na napapadaan ako sa Danao, doon na lang muna sa lahat ng relatives in the hope na baka nandoon ’yung buto somewhere sa mga libingan ng mga relatives namin dito sa Danao Cemetery,” she added.

Afterward, she proceeded to Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish to attend a Mass for her great-grandparents, Facundo and Zoila Duterte.

She was welcomed by residents of the city and took selfies outside the parish.

Sara later visited the Danao City Public Market, where she shook hands and hugged meat and fish vendors, many of whom were seen in tears upon seeing her.

She repeatedly expressed her gratitude for their continued support, especially for her father, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged crimes against humanity.

She was accompanied by Danao City Mayor Mix Durano, Vice Mayor Nito Durano, and other members of the Durano family—relatives of the Dutertes.

After her walk around the market, supporters immediately flocked to stalls she had passed, eagerly buying fish, seafood, pork, and chicken—resulting in vendors selling out their goods.

Her visit to Danao was unannounced and she said she did not coordinate with local officials since she is not campaigning for any local post.

“Tulad ngayon, mayroon palang Baccalaureate Mass dito. Nandito si Mayor Mix Durano ng Danao City. Nagkita kami. Nag-invite siya ng breakfast. Sabi ko, puntahan ko lang siya mamaya. Kasi hindi ako na nangangampanya ng lokal, kaya hindi kami na ko-coordinate sa lokal sa aking pag-ikot. Dumidiretso kami sa tao kasi ang kampanya ko naman ay pasasalamat at para sa mga sampung senators,” Sara said.

The vice president then joined the Durano family for breakfast in a nearby fastfood joint.

In his Facebook post, Vice Mayor Nito Durano expressed gratitude to the VP for dropping by Danao.

"Lahi ra gyud ang panaghinabi kung pamilya na ang hisgutan- mainit, makahupay ug makahuluganon. Salamat sa paghapit sa Danao VP Inday Sara. Mubo ang panahon pero bug-at sa panumduman. Naay mga istoryang gisugdan… ug naa pay mosunod," he said.

Although Sara previously said she would not take part in campaigning for the midterm elections, she explained that the “injustice” of her father’s arrest compelled her to actively support the “Duter10” senatorial candidates.

She said she may join campaign rallies of the candidates she is endorsing but clarified that her main focus is to thank people nationwide for their continued support for her office and the former president.

Sara said in an interview that since her father is imprisoned, she has taken on the role of helping campaign for the “Duter10” senatorial slate.

“At sinabi ko sa kanya na, okay. Since wala ka naman na doon sa Pilipinas, pwede akong tumulong sa six PDP candidates and four guest candidates ng Duterte. Tawag nila ngayon sa kanilang grupo ay Duter10. So yan po yung panawagan na block voting o vote straight doon sa sampung senators ni Pangulong Duterte,” she said.

Regarding her endorsement of Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar and Sen. Imee Marcos, who are both running for re-election, Sara said it isn’t unusual since she has known Marcos since 2012 and has discussed motherhood with Villar.

Asked if she believes her endorsements would help the candidates’ ratings, Sara responded, “Hindi ko alam. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung makakatulong ba ’yun sa kanilang candidacy pero ’yun ang obligation ko sa ngayon, nakiusap ang dating Pangulong Duterte para sa mga senator at sinabi ko nga, kaibigan ko, si Sen. Imee Marcos at si Senator Camille Villar. Kulang din naman kasi ng dalawang kandidato yung 10 dahil as a voter tayong lahat ay binigyan tayo ng right to vote for 12 senators.”

Sara reiterated that her current focus is thanking people across the country and raising awareness about the “Duter10” senatorial slate.

“Sa ngayon, wala akong sinasalihang rallies. Ang ginagawa ko lang a – madami akong ginagawa actually, galing ako Samar, and then kahapon galing ako north sa Leyte, sa Province of Leyte. Ang ginagawa ko unang-una, nagpapasalamat sa mga tao. Dahil ang dami-daming nagpapakita ng suporta kay Pangulong Duterte. Ang daming nagdadasal para kay Pangulong Duterte. At ang daming nag-celebrate noong birthday ni Pangulong Duterte," she said, adding that a lot shell out their own money to show theu support for her father.

"So kailangan lahat yun ay madaanan at mapasalamatan. Hindi man isa-isa yung pagpapasalamat pero gusto ko na malaman nila na bumisita kami, dumaan kami para ipakita din sa kanila yung pagpapasalamat namin. Dahil napakalaki ng tulong ng kanilang mga dasal. Sigurado ako nagpapalakas ng loob yun kay Pangulong Duterte,” she added.

Further, Sara reacted to the recent Pulse Asia survey, which showed an increase in her approval and trust ratings.

“Nagulat ako nung nakita ko yung numbers ng pagtitiwala ng mga tao sa akin dahil sa sobrang dami ng lumabas na paninira sa kung saan man—galing sa pulitiko, galing sa social media, lahat, all sides, merong paninira,” she said.

She added that even with efforts to destroy her name, the support she continues to receive does not necessarily extend to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The approval and trust ratings of Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Senate President Francis Escudero have all declined, according to the latest survey. — /ATO (FREEMAN)