Sara Duterte has ‘influence’ on national scene, says Arroyo ally
By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
A LEADING ally of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio “wields a lot of influence…, in the national scene,” when sought for comment about the mayor, following a power struggle in the House last Monday, July 23.
Shortly before President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s arrival in Congress to deliver his State of the Nation Address that day, a power play had ensued, leading to the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez and the election to his post of former Philippine president and incumbent Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga’s 2nd District.
Mr. Alvarez and Ms. Carpio have been known to be at odds in the Davao Region’s political scene, especially after Mr. Alvarez, secretary-general of the ruling PDP-Laban, branded Ms. Carpio early this year as being part of the opposition when she formed her own party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago. News reports quoted Ms. Carpio as saying in response that Mr. Alvarez “messed with the wrong girl.”
“At this time, Mayor Sara Duterte has shown she wields a lot of influence, not only running the affairs of the City of Davao, even in the national scene,” Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said in a phone interview on Saturday.
He added: “Much of her opinion and what she says holds a lot of political sway and influence on the way people think and the way people perceive things, especially when it comes to the national scene, in terms of national politics.”
The congressman also noted, “She’s showing good numbers and I think a lot of Filipino voters trust her and have a high approval of her.”
Ms. Carpio has been among the leading names in recent senatorial polls.
“She’s very capable. She has the capacity in serving in a higher position,” Mr. Nograles said.
