Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has completely switched to the Lakas-CMD party, which some see as a bridge for her to be a substitute candidate and participate in the national race in Election 2022.
“Tonight, I formally became a member of Lakas-CMD,” said Duterte-Carpio in a Facebook post.
Her oath-taking took place in Cavite, where she attended a wedding attended by some with big names in politics.
“The officials and members of Lakas-CMD are elated to welcome Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as new member of our party,” said Leyte 1st Dist. Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD.
“It is with profound sadness that I with this tender my resignation from our beloved party,” she said.
Some presidential aspirants could not help but scratch their heads at Duterte-Carpio’s move.
“Inaaliw na naman tayo, parang pelikula. Andaming characters pero isa lang ang bida. Andaming moves para i-build up ‘yung climax. Sa dulo, resolbahin natin ito sa kanilang pananagutan,” said Leody de Guzman, a presidential aspirant.
So far, many are on the lookout for Duterte-Carpio’s next move, especially since November 15, the deadline for the substitution of candidates, is just a few days away.
Meanwhile, more than 200 who have filed candidacies for president, vice president, and senator are expected to be declared “nuisance candidates” by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Sara Duterte moves to Lakas-CMD; substitution suspicion intensifies
“For the position of president meron pong 82 petitions na finile ang Comelec, 15 for vice president, and 108 for those who filed for senator,” said Comelec Education and Information Department Director Elaiza Sabile-David.
Contrary, 205 want to be made nuisance candidates by the Comelec out of 299 who have filed candidacies for national positions.
The Comelec targets to release the official list of candidates in December.
Meanwhile, disqualification cases are also expected to pour in against some politicians.
Several party-lists filed for withdrawal and substitution of nominees on Thursday.
The Comelec also warned that there would be penalties for anyone who violates the “new normal” guidelines to be released for the campaign that will formally begin next year.
The guidelines aim to prevent infection during a pandemic.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.