ILOILO City – Presidential daughter Sara Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, raised the hand of Mayor Jose Espinosa III during a meeting yesterday in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila. Was that an endorsement of Espinosa?
“I am humbled by Mayor Sara’s action and cognizant of the importance of our meeting,” said Espinosa who is running for mayor this May 13 midterm elections.
The two city chief executives met at a gathering of Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a broad political alliance that Duterte formed last year.
Sen. Cynthia Villar and husband, former senator Manny Villar, hosted the meeting.
Espinosa is running under the Nacionalista Party (NP) led by the Villars.
The NP has formed an alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
“I am honored by Mayor Sara’s support,” said Espinosa who is running for mayor for the first time.
Espinosa said he was also appreciative of the presidential daughter’s agreeing to pose with him before the camera and flash the No. 1 sign.
Just last week, Feb. 24, President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed that his daughter is now calling the shots on the political decisions of the First Family.
In a speech in Cebu City, the President Duterte said there were several decisions that took him by surprise but he can’t do anything since his daughter had planned for it.
“Si Inday na lang naay buot ron. Kontrolado na ni Inday (Inday Sara is in control),” he said.
Espinosa also thanked Senator Villar whom he called “my mentor” for the meeting with Mayor Duterte yesterday./PN
