President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday endorsed the mayoral bid of incumbent Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo, making her the first Bohol mayor to officially get the Chief Executive’s support in the midterm polls.

Sumaylo, who is running under the Padayon Bol-anon local coalition led by gubernatorial candidate Rep. Arthur Yap, had her hand hoisted by Duterte himself as gesture of support at the Kalayaan Hall in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

During a press conference at a restaurant in Tagbilaran City on Friday, Sumaylo shared photos of her meeting with Duterte who held her hand up, as she claimed that the President has endorsed her candidacy.

“Dihay nanawag nato taga Office of the President na paagtuon ta didto sa Malacañang kay makigstorya ang President nato,” said Sumaylo. “Naglamanuhay mi. Una niyang giingon ‘kamusta ang imong bayan.’ Ingon ko na okay ra man Mr. President.”

Sumaylo expressed elation over the development but admitted that she was not expecting to get Duterte’s official endorsement.

“Gapasalamat ko sa atong mahal na Presidente, wa jud nako damha nga mahitabo to bisag gamay na iya tang gi-endorso, mismo siya nanawag nato ug dako kaajong kalipay na nahitabo to kagahapon,” said Sumaylo.

Aside from Duterte’s endorsement, Sumaylo also brought home a promise from Duterte to have a hospital built in Dauis.

“Gitawag niya si SAP Bong Go ug iyang giingnan na ipaprepare tanan papers sa hospital na posibling ihatag niya sa atong lungsod,” said Sumaylo, noting that the President might personally visit Dauis soon.

Sumaylo is officially aligned with the National Unity Party, not with Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan.

She however is noted to be close with Duterte even before he was elected as President in 2016.

Sumaylo has a lending business in Davao City which was already operating while Duterte was still mayor of the city. (R. Tutas)