From the start, my gut feel was that Sara Duterte-Carpio will not gun for the Presidency… yet. This came despite the clamor of the public for her to run as shown in pre-candidacy filing surveys. She was a shoo in to the position, no doubt, after her dad’s successful 6-year run as President. The people loved and trusted PDuts that most people wanted continuity and SDC was initially seen as the person who can do it. I guess the Duterte Legacy in Davao and Philippines is in the minds of the Filipinos.
But Sara is a league of her own. I have seen her strength and leadership that rivals her father. She is not a Duterte who lives under the shadows of her dad. She IS Sara Duterte. A strong-willed leader who carries her own name and brand anywhere she goes. She stands on her own and creates her opportunities. She knows what she wants and she will achieve it in her own style and in her own time.
Like what I have said in my previous blog, I am looking for continuity. I am looking for leaders who will continue the leaps of progress of the Duterte administration. We cannot deny the progress of the city of Davao under the Dutertes, from the dad to her daughter. The continuity of the local government programs in Davao paved the way for it to become one of the progressive cities of the country. Her stand on issues have always called for that continuity and love for country echoes in me.
Her breadth of experience in the executive position is what I am looking for. I want a Vice President who can take an active role in nation building, unlike the incumbent. SDC’s potential to be part of the future cabinet is promising where she can contribute immensely in creating and leading projects that has a direct impact at national level, not just on a targeted audience or community. This is where her experience in local governance come into play. She can execute programs effectively and efficiently since she understand how and what happens at ground level. Her understanding is rooted on her experience as a local executive, not just on theories or what info is being fed to her.
She is a strong woman, void of the usual drama and perceived gender issues. She slugs it out like the rest without expecting any special treatment. You see her doing her own thing, walang pagpapanggap. Yung totoo lang. What you see is what you get. I guess that is how PDuts raised his kids. Every now and then, we see her blurting out a “punch” or two, to our amusement. While BBM is tight lipped on negative campaigning, Sara does not take it too hard but she knows when to “throw a punch”, to our amusement. She does it with style and grace that one wouldn’t have noticed that a hit was delivered. Just like BBM, hindi kelangan magpakita ng “ibang” persona, yung totoo lang ay sapat na.
SDC is a team player. You have seen how she supports BBM. She does not overpower even, when she knows, she can. She stays on the sideline and does not take the “spotlight”. She understands the role that she is going to take after her win this May. She strikes the balance with BBM. She understands that her support to the frontrunner will play a crucial role in this election and in nation-building after the election. Sara knows when to take charge and when to take a seat. Her support to BBM is unwavering. She believes in their standard bearer and she shows that in all her campaign sorties.
It is inspiring to see the mutual respect between BBM and Sara. The respect and the call to come together echoes stronger than any hyperbole. Hindi kelangan ng mga matalinghagang salita, simple at lapat na panawagan lang okay na. The respect that she brings on the table as early as now is what every leader needs – support. Remember that being Vice President of a country entails the responsibility to help in nation building. Personal and party interest take the backseat when you are elected to the position. Sara is THAT Vice President that we have all been wanting the past 6 years. There… I said it.
I agree that a vote for the President should be a vote for the Vice President. The Unity Tandem of BBM and Sara is a strong force to be reckoned. No visual optics can hide the fact that, at ground level, the call for unity is stronger than any shifted color. Sara is my VP and I am looking forward to seeing her take an active role in nation building in the next 6 years, and not just a mere spare tire as accorded by our constitution.
Initial forecast on who is going to be the next President in 2028… the Daughter, te.
adobongpinoy 