Duterte-Carpio told the media in an ambush interview on Monday, May 9, that while she will be a “supportive and loyal vice president” to Marcos, she is still open to collaborate with other presidentiable.
“I will be a supportive and loyal vice president to Apo BBM [Bongbong Marcos] in the event he wins. Kung hindi naman natin kasama or kaalyado ‘yung mananalo na pangulo (If he won’t be able to join me or a non-ally will win as president), I will still continue for our country,” she said right after she cast her vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS).
She said in her previous speaking engagements that she cannot see working with any other president, but Marcos.
The mayor declined to answer her desired position in the Cabinet, if she will be elected as vice president, as she is currently focused on monitoring the canvassing of votes until the proclamation of winners.
“Hindi pa po natin naiisip ang cabinet position. Ang concern lang po natin ngayon (I haven’t thought about the cabinet position. My concern at the moment) is that the votes are counted correctly,” she said.
If the next administration, however, will not give her any Cabinet position, Duterte-Carpio said she already prepared programs related to peace building and child protection.
In a previous interview with Mindanao media, Marcos revealed that the mayor expressed interest to handle the Department of National Defense (DND) should she win in the 2022 national elections.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio said she has not yet spoken to her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, regarding politics.
Duterte, during the miting de avance of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod-Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HTL-HNP) on Friday, May 6, stood by his decision to not endorse any presidential candidate.
The daughter, in response, said: “Lahat naman tayo pwede pumili ng gusto nating kandidato. Lalong Lalo na ang pangulo. It’s his right to endorse or not to endorse anyone.”
Duterte-Carpio said that regardless of the results in the elections, she said her camp has prepared an “online thanksgiving” to all her supporters and volunteers who joined her in the 90-day nationwide campaign.
