DAVAO City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte will not join any political party after an official of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) expressed willingness to support her possible presidential bid.

Duterte said she will remain loyal to the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and the Hugpong Tawong Lungsod of Davao City.

“I do not intend to join any national political party,” Duterte, the HNP chairperson, said.

Duterte was reacting to the statement of PDP-Laban acting secretary-general Melvin Matibag that PDP-Laban will likely back her should President Rodigo “Rody” Duterte choose her as the administration standard-bearer.

“I will rise and fall with the HNP and HTL. I will remain with HNP and HTL,” said Duterte.

Last Thursday, House committee on ways and means chairman and Albay Rep.

Joey Sarte Salceda predicted that Mayor Inday Sara will run for the 2022 presidential polls.

Based on their exchanges, Salceda said he has no doubt in mind that the presidential daughter will join the presidential race.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that based on our exchange and chats that she will definitely run in 2022,” Salceda said.

“Nagpaalam ako sa kanya kasi ang dami na, simula two weeks ago, kinukulit na po talaga ako [kung tatakbo siya] at tumatanggi ako, sabi ko baka dapat ikaw na. Sabi niya, ‘ikaw na muna because you might be defending somebody who is not a candidate,” Salceda said.

But Mayor Inday Sara has remained mum on the possibility of joining next year’s presidential race.

Salceda also said that Duterte’s HNP is working on building alliances with various political parties to solidify her possible presidential bid.

On May 22, Salceda said in a press statement that “in our exchange of texts with Mayor Inday Sara, she left no doubt that she has crossed the Rubicon, it is 100% certain that she is running in 2022.”

“She did not have to agonize over it because she knows she is capable. She is both tough and right. If ever she needs help, she can count on my friendship and loyal advice,” Salceda said.

In 2019, Mayor Inday Sara formed HNP along with other Davao regional officials.

The HNP endorsed at least 13 senatorial candidates during 2019 polls of which nine won seats.

It was Mayor Inday Sara who led the campaign of the HNP senatorial candidates.