President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
- The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, accepted the title of running for Vice President in the 2022 election.
- The 76-year-old was barred from seeking a second tern.
- His opponent thought the move was to maintain power.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte accepted his party’s nomination on Wednesday and will run for vice president in next year’s election, advancing a cynical move criticized by rivals for defending his political power .
The 76-year-old fickle leader is prohibited by the constitution from seeking a second term. His interest in this mainly ceremonial position has been rejected by opponents in order to stay in office to avoid potential legal proceedings at home and abroad.
But Duterte, who has always portrayed himself as a reluctant leader, said his decision was motivated by his love for the country.
Duterte said: “It’s really because I want to see the continuity of my efforts. Although I may not be the person to give directions, I may be able to help.”
Political vendettas are common in the Philippines. Several former leaders who lost their immunity from office were prosecuted and even sentenced to prison after the change of power.
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague Is seeking to investigate the instigator leader Thousands of people were killed in his infamous “War on Drugs”.
Experts believe that Duterte, a maverick leader known for embracing China and contempt for his ally, the United States, may retain power by taking over as president if his successor resigns.
Duterte had urged the senator and closest supporter Christopher to “bong” Ge to replace him, but Ge rejected the party’s presidential nomination on Wednesday, saying that he “serves the people wholeheartedly.”
The PDP-Laban party expressed the hope that Go will change its mind.
“Blood is thicker than water”
“We know he is capable and qualified to run,” senior official Melvin Matibag said at a media briefing.
Go’s refusal to nominate has left the possibility for Duterte’s daughter to run for president.
Sara Duterte Carpio, 43, succeeds her father as mayor of Davao City. She belongs to a different political party, although every poll this year lists her as the top presidential candidate. , But the information about the campaign was mixed.
Earlier this year, she told Reuters She is not interested in this job But last week it was said that several politicians had asked her to vote for her.
When asked by Reuters on Wednesday if she would run, she said “no comment.”
Her father had said that if she sought the presidency, he would withdraw.
Political analyst Temario Rivera said this is because Duterte feels safe when his daughter is in power, despite their differences and expecting her to govern the country in her own way.
“Duterte will still accept this arrangement,” he said. “Blood is thicker than water.”
Political analyst Edmund Tayao said that even after the entry deadline next month, there are still many changes.
“Nothing is final until the time for submission of candidacy and substitution expires,” Tayao told Reuters.
Earlier Wednesday, the 73-year-old former police chief Senator Panfilo Lacson was the first to announce his candidacy for the presidential election. This was his second election after his defeat in the 2004 election. .
