Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera, spokesperson of a new citizen’s movement today said their group is providing indepth research, economic studies and grassroots support to reluctant Presidential candidate-to-be Sara Duterte-Carpio in a bid to tip her towards a decision to run in the 2022 national elections.

Hugpong Para Kay Sara (HPS), a citizens’ organization made up of business people, academics, economists, local government officials, legislators and common citizens, are marshalling their efforts towards coming up with a platform of government which would help the Philippines back on its feet within the next six years, hopefully under the stewardship of the popular Davao City Mayor.

“We are doing all these research and study to play on the obvious strengths of Mayor Sara which is her commitment to continue to her father’s legacy, but at the same time use her independent spirit, decisiveness and style of thoroughly thinking of developmental solutions, qualities which clearly propelled her to the top of recent surveys,” said Rep. Bernadette Herrera.

Studying what needs to be done

Herrera, who also acts as HPS spokesperson, said the citizen movement’s main purpose for now is to help Duterte “to study what needs to be done” after her father’s term.

“We understand why she has not made her decision yet to run for President. This is not an easy decision to make. But we strongly believe that she is ready for this huge responsibility based on her track record and appeal with the masa,” Herrera said in an interview with a morning radio show.

“She wants to assess if she can do this job, if she has the ability to help the Filipino people, small and big businesses, and our health sector, among others, now suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” she explained. “HPS’ objective is to provide her the research and studies to make this jump into what promises to be a very difficult six year term.”

“The surveys are high for Mayor Sara because naturally people want her to continue her father’s successful programs,” Herrera pointed out.

“Today, you can check out of a hospital and not pay a single centavo. Our youth can study all the way to university for free, “ she averred. “We at HPS feel that Mayor Sara can continue these, while coming up with new programs using her own refined style of leadership, her more thoughtful, develop-oriented mindset, to solve the country’s problems in the next six years.”

PH ready for another woman President

Herrera brushed aside fears of some sectors of another woman President.

“Truth is, we need a strong, decisive woman who can focus on the small details. This is our advantage,” she quipped.

“Mapagkalinga, at alam ang mga isyu sa ekonomiya, at ang pinakamahalaga, tutok sa bawa’t detalye,” she explained.

“Many Filipinos have lost their jobs, small and big businesses have been failing, and people are afraid of Covid-19,“ she added. “Mayor Sara has all the qualities to continue what her father started, while focusing on what needs to be done.”

“If a woman such as Mayor Sara can combine her refined, thoughtful leadership, with the strong will and decisiveness of President Duterte, I don’t see how our country cannot recover,” she said.