Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Tuesday advised President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to run for vice president and president, respectively, in 2022 under different political parties and without running mates.

Panelo gave the advice during his commentary show Counterpoint, as he expressed confidence anew that Duterte and Sara will win the elections next year if the two decide to run.

“Tumakbo na lang kayo (Just run) separately with your own party without a running mate,” he said. “Nakakasiguro po ako, ‘pag tumakbo kayong dalawa independently from each other, kayo pa rin ang mananalo sa halalan. Iyan po ang pulso ng bayan (I am sure that if you run independently from each other, you will both win the elections. That’s the pulse of the nation).”

Panelo said he had told Duterte and Sara about his proposal.

He also noted that “75 percent” of Filipinos present in the several gatherings he had attended want Sara to seek the presidency, while “100 percent” of them want Duterte to join the vice presidential race.

Panelo was elated that Duterte and Sara have both expressed readiness to join the 2022 national elections.

He also recounted that when he talked to Duterte three days ago, the President said he would make a decision based on public sentiments.

“Sabi niya kung iyan ang tinig, boses ng bayan, iyan ang utos ng bayan at susundin ko. Oh ayan. Tatakbo na siya (He said he will heed the voice of the nation, the call of the nation. That’s it. He will run),” Panelo said.

Panelo said many Filipinos are urging the President and his daughter to run for president and vice president, respectively, because they are impressed with their competence to lead the country.

He added that the two are “destined” to be public servants.

“Ang interest po nila ay yung kakayahan ng kandidato na tugunan ang suliranin ng bayan. ‘Yun po ang importante diyan (They are interested in the competence of a candidate to address the challenges in the country. That’s what is important there),” he said.

In a public address delivered Monday night, Duterte advised his daughter to run for president “some other time” to protect her from political opponents.

Duterte also admitted that he is only considering seeking the vice presidency to “scare off” his critics.

On July 9, Sara said she is now “open” to the idea of running for president next year.

Duterte, on the other hand, told members of his ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) that he is “seriously thinking” of accepting calls for him to run for vice president. (PNA)