Duterte runs for senate, avoids vice presidency clash with daughter

Bangkok, Nov 15 (EFE).- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to run for the senate in the 2022 elections, thus avoiding a clash with his daughter in the vice-presidential race.

Duterte’s decision to file his candidacy through a representative during the last hour of substitution filing Monday breaches his plan to retire from politics in October after his six-year term ends.

The president will be running under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) and substitute Liezl Visorde, who withdrew her candidacy, state-run People’s Television reported.

Some 12 senators will be elected on May 9, along with the president and vice president.

The nomination puts an end to months of speculation about Duterte’s political future.

It came two days after the rumor that Duterte would run for vice president in direct contest with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who is seeking the second-highest post.

The Davao mayor filed her candidacy for vice president over the weekend under Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

Duterte’s spokesperson Martin Andanar announced to the media Saturday that the president would run for the country’s vice presidency in direct competition with his daughter.

Former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the president would not fight his daughter following reports that he would join the vice presidential race.

“As presidential spokesperson, I go by what the president says. It is Sen. Go for president, and I cannot see the president supporting anyone else for vice president other than Mayor Sara Duterte,” he said.

“As a lawyer, it is my view that it is not unconstitutional for a sitting president to run for vice president, or for senator for that matter,” he said.

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