VP Sara Urges his Brother Paolo Duterte to Consider House Leadership Role

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Davao City, Philippines — In a recent ambush interview, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed she has encouraged her elder brother, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, to pursue a leadership post in the House of Representatives, either as Speaker or as Minority Leader.

Speaking candidly following a church service on May 17, VP Duterte shared that she had floated the idea to Rep. Duterte as part of her vision for stronger regional representation in the national legislature.

“I told Congressman Pulong, ‘Maybe you want to run for Speaker?’” she recalled. “But he didn’t respond. Maybe he’s still weighing his chances or thinking it's a long shot,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

As an alternative, the vice president said she also proposed that Rep. Duterte consider aiming for the minority leadership if the speakership appears out of reach. “If you don't win as Speaker, at least take the Minority Leader position,” she said, noting that her brother has yet to give a definite answer.

VP Duterte clarified that she has not endorsed any other candidate for either the House speakership or the Senate presidency, and that no lawmakers have approached her for support in these races.

When asked about the possibility of political conflict resulting from her suggestions, the vice president smiled and recounted her brother’s light-hearted reply. “He just told me not to get into fights, especially since I had just come from mass,” she said.

Her statements come amid swirling speculation about a potential shake-up in the House leadership. However, Speaker Martin Romualdez’s allies have moved quickly to quash such rumors.

House Deputy Speaker Jay-Jay Suarez of Quezon’s 2nd District disclosed that 240 lawmakers have already signed a manifesto supporting Romualdez’s continued speakership. “And that number keeps climbing,” Suarez added.

The tension between the Duterte and Marcos-Romualdez camps has been evident since last year, after the House leadership spearheaded moves to strip the Office of the Vice President of its controversial confidential funds a decision that widened the existing political gap.

For many observers in Mindanao, VP Sara’s statement underscores the region’s growing assertiveness in national affairs. Political analysts note that a potential leadership bid by Rep. Paolo Duterte if pursued could signal a broader attempt by Mindanao leaders to regain influence in the legislative agenda of the 20th Congress.

As of now, Rep. Duterte remains silent on his sister’s suggestion. But with national alliances continuing to shift, all eyes remain on the Duterte siblings and their next political moves.