Government positions are not inherited in a democracy, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said on Friday, as he and two other “presidentiables” clarified their plans for next year’s national elections.
In a television program, Domagoso was commenting on reports President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was running for the highest office in the 2022 polls.
Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, said she is still open to a presidential run while not closing the door on a campaign for governor of her home province Camarines Sur.
Also, former Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano was also considering running for President, three years after losing to Robredo as President Duterte’s running mate.
Domagoso, in an interview on Headstart, was asked if he believes another Duterte as leader in the next six years would be good for the country.
“I don’t want to preempt the people in choosing their leader, but I hope they will not be called stupid later on.” said Domagoso.
He said there is a “clear presence of political dynasty” in such a scenario.
“I don’t believe in that and I am not gonna vote for that as a voter and I disagree as a citizen of this country,” he said.
“I don’t believe that positions in government are inherited in a democratic government. In a democracy, the people choose; relatives cannot be forced to replace him after he’s done,” said Domagoso.
The Manila mayor’s name has appeared in surveys among preferred presidential candidates for 2022.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said Thursday the President has several times named his daughter and four others as among his possible successors. The list includes Domagoso.
Domagoso has also been appearing in preference surveys, trailing a few spots behind Duterte-Carpio in the presidential poll and topping the list for preferred vice-presidential bets.
Domagoso, who has drawn applause for his leadership in the capital city, was also reportedly being considered as a potential candidate by the 1SAMBAYAN coalition, a group composed of key political and civil society personalities that banded together with the aim to unify the opposition for the upcoming elections.