‘The political party that will adopt Carpio-Duterte as its standard bearer faces a real challenge on how to present her as an outstanding achiever and an upright and strong leader, exceptional qualities
already harnessed by Vice
President Leni Robredo.’
IT seemed predictable for Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio to distance herself from her father, the President, since the pandemic exposed the government’s mishandling of the COVID response and the rampant corruption with medical equipment and supplies. She has portrayed herself as a feisty and a no-nonsense local executive. Bicol Cong. Joey Salceda, who has been in constant touch with Carpio-Duterte, says she would not settle for anything less than the presidency.
Twice she caught the national attention — when she slugged a sheriff in Davao City who ordered the demolition of shanties, despite her directive not to, and when she led the sudden ouster of then House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a close friend of President Duterte. Several times, the President would admit he did not have the guts to get in her daughter’ way.
There is little doubt that Duterte-Carpio would try to create a space that she and her advisers have imagined would insulate herself, as a presidential aspirant, from the raging issues and controversies hounding her father. She has practically nothing to show as a national leader equipped to run this troubled country. She has embraced the strength of her personality with a grand flourish, along, of course, with the Duterte name that stands for her father’s accomplishments, as well as his failures and flaws.
The political party that will adopt Carpio-Duterte as its standard bearer faces a real challenge on how to present her as an outstanding achiever and an upright and strong leader, exceptional qualities already harnessed by Vice President Leni Robredo. A “strongman image” may yet produce a huge backlash which will do her in as a presidential candidate.
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The family of former TV director Bert de Leon would like to extend their deep gratitude to those who contributed to the fund-raising concert recently held online. De Leon was director of the very popular and longest-running variety show in the country, Eat Bulaga, and a host of other TV variety and drama programs. Many actors owed their successful careers to De Leon, who gave them their needed “breaks” in his shows. His life savings had been drained since he was hospitalized for a heart attack followed by COVID-10 last April.
Senate President Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon led the generous donors that had put up more than P500,000. Nothing has been left of it since De Leon was transferred to the plush St. Luke’s at Global City for treatment of fibrosis and his kidney problem. His hospital bill has ballooned to P2.7M. His family is appealing anew for donations and those willing to help financially may call or text 09158032252 for details.
