Ayon kay Mayor Sara, campaign manager ng Hugpong ng Pagbabago ng administrasyon, hindi umano niya sinabi na okay lang na maging sinungaling ang kandidato.
“No, I am not saying that [it’s ok for candidates to be lairs]. What I am saying is that honesty is not an issue because it is not a requirement to run for senator as stated in Article 6, Section 3 of the Constitution,” ani Sara.
Tumugon din ang presidential daughter sa sinabi ng aunt-in-law nito na si dating Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales na kailangan ang honesty sa public official alinsunod sa 1987 Constitution kung saan nakasaad na “the state shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service.”
“A candidate is not a public official. Those are different,” argumento ni Duterte na ang mister na si Atty. Menases Carpio ay pamangkin ni Morales.
Pero aminado si Duterte na mas mataas ang demand ng katapatan kapag nahalal at isa ng public official.
“When you become a public official, you [will] fall under the laws required of public officials such as [anti-] graft and corruption laws and other Constitutional provisions. Public office is a public trust,” dagdag ng alkalde.