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Duterte running in election, but not vs daughter: spokesperson
Harry Roque, who was at the Commission on Election to file his own candidacy for senator, told reporters that President Duterte will join next year's election, but he did not say for what position.
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (center) gives a peace sign with members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the Ceremonial Confirmation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law Plebescite Law Canvass Results and Oath-taking of Transition Authority at the Malacanang palace in Manila on February 22, 2019. (AFP/Noel Cellis)
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hilippines President Rodrigo Duterte will file his candidacy for next year's election later on Monday, his spokesperson said, but he will not compete against his daughter, who is running for vice president.
Harry Roque, who was at the Commission on Election to file his own candidacy for senator, told reporters that President Duterte will join next year's election, but he did not say for what position.
Roque did not elaborate but Duterte's communications chief said on Saturday he plans to register to run for vice president before the deadline, and challenge his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is vying for the same position.
His 43-year-old daughter had been expected to run to succeed him as president. He is not allowed to seek re-election. However, she filed her candidacy for vice president despite leading opinion polls for most preferred presidential contenders.
Nevertheless, she could still change her mind.
It was not yet clear who Duterte-Carpio will run with, but presidential aspirant and son of late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said he wants her to be his running mate.
In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately.
Dozens of supporters of Duterte-Carpio in green T-shirts, the colour associated with her, were outside the polling body's office on Monday to make a last ditch attempt to convince her to change her mind and run for the presidency.
Candidates have until 0900 GMT on Monday to withdraw or switch positions by way of substitution.
The Southeast Asian nation of 110 million people holds elections in May 2022 for positions from president down to governors, mayors and local officials. The next government faces the uphill task of reviving a pandemic-battered economy.
The older Duterte's choice of successor is his long-time aide, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who on Saturday quit the vice presidential race to run for the country's top job.
Go will square off with more seasoned and popular rivals, like Marcos and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who are both ahead of him in opinion polls.
"Even though Go is not as competitive as Sara, Duterte has a lot of resources at his disposal and could count on the Mindanao base," said Richard Heydarian, an author, columnist and academic who specialises in politics, referring to the southern Philippine island which is the base for both Duterte and his daughter.
