Philippine Vote Positions Duterte's Daughter as Likely Successor
- Mayor Sara Duterte endorsed 9 of 12 leading Senate Contenders
- Female Senators Poe, Villar ahead in initial midterm count
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With the Philippines’ midterm elections expected to heavily favor President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies, the stage is set for his daughter Sara to seek the top post in 2022.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte -- the president’s eldest daughter -- has in recent years positioned herself as the next in line for the presidency, with the midterms serving as an opportunity for her to line up support within the ruling PDP–Laban party. Rather than running as a senator, she stepped into the national spotlight by personally campaigning for senatorial candidates competing for the 12 available seats. Nine of those she backed are leading in the early count.