A FACTION of the ruling party Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban on Wednesday admitted that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio “will affect the current political landscape” if she decides to run for a national post.

“PDP-Laban watches with keen interest the developments on Sara Duterte’s decision to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, especially considering the public support she enjoys,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“In any event, her actions, including any decision to run for a national elective office, will most certainly affect the political landscape,” he added.

On Tuesday, Duterte-Carpio withdrew her certificate of candidacy for reelection and named her brother, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, her replacement.

Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, who filed his certificate of candidacy for president, said that he would prefer if Duterte-Carpio runs for president in his stead.

Several groups have pushed the mayor to run for president but she had said that she wanted to finish her term as mayor.

Duterte-Carpio topped the Pulse Asia survey conducted by Pulse Asia in September.