January 15 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on the 14th that his daughter would not participate in next year’s presidential election, because he thought the president was too tired to be suitable for women.
A recent poll showed that Sarah Duterte-Kapio, the eldest daughter of Duterte and the mayor of Davao, 42, is the most popular candidate for president.
“My daughter will not run for election.” Duterte said at the launch of a highway project that he advised his daughter not to vote for president, “because I feel sorry for her at the thought that she must go through what I am going through”.
Duterte said, “This is not a job for women… You will not adapt when you come here [the presidential palace]. This is a sad fact.
Since its independence in 1898, the Philippines has produced two female presidents, Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Duterte is often accused by public for making similar remarks “discrimination against women”, Reuters reported.
The presidential spokesman explained that those were just jokes and there was no harm. Polls show that Duterte is very popular among Filipino female voters.
Duterte served as mayor of Davao for 20 years. Sarah inherited Duterte’s mantle and showed a tough and non-nonsense style like her father.
She was very popular.
Sarah confirmed to Reuters on the 14th that she would not run for election. She wrote in a text message on her mobile phone: “I’m not scuffling, and I’m not going to run for the last minute.
If the whole country is unwilling to believe this, there is nothing I can do. Not everyone wants to be president, I am one of them.”
Two other presidential favorites, current Vice President Lenny Robredo and Senator Grace Fu are also women.
