DAVAO City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) is in talks with “several highly placed national OFfiCIALS” TO DISCUSS HER possible presidential bid in next year’s polls.

The daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte herself revealed this on Wednesday, ahead of her decision whether or not to run as president in 2022.

“I am aware that the officers of Hugpong ng Pagbabago are in talks with several highly-placed national officials regarding the 2022 elections. I am not privy to these discussions, but I was told that the meetings are about my candidacy for the presidential race in 2022,” Duterte-Carpio said in a statement.

“I was assured that everyone involved in these talks will respect my decision if I decide against running for president,” she added.

HNP is a regional political party established in 2018 with the mayor as the chairperson.

Duterte-Carpio is seen as a strong contender in the presidential race in 2022.

The President had repeatedly dissuaded Sara from running, saying the presidency is not a job for a woman.

The mayor had rejected joining a national political party amid rumors that the ruling PDP-Laban is considering her as standard bearer in next year’s.

Duterte-Carpio, 43, said she will remain with HNP and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, a Davao City local political party.

She thanked the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) after the party adopted a resolution to back her possible presidential bid.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Lakas CMD for the unconditional support. Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan!” Duterte-Carpio said.

Earlier in the day, Lakas-CMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said his party will work for Duterte-Carpio’s victory if she runs next year.

“If Mayor Sara Duterte decides to seek higher office for 2022, we are ready to work for her victory in the coming election,”

Romualdez said during LakasCMD’s meeting.

He made the statement as the once dominant Lakas-CMD renewed its alliance with HNP party.

Romualdez said the alliance would bind Lakas and HNP to support whoever they decide to field as candidate for president in the 2022 elections.

“I call on other political parties to join us and be part of our mission to form a broad multi-party coalition anchored on shared principles. We need coalition partners that share the same vision of building a strong Republic through sustainable growth and development of the regions,” the lawmaker said.

Last week, Romualdez said he would consider President Duterte’s endorsement for the vice-presidency in the 2022 elections. The lawmaker was in Davao City to greet DuterteCarpio for her birthday.