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Unexpectedly, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his retirement from politics. He will not run for vice president in the 2022 election because it would be a “violation of the Constitution,” Duterte said Saturday. The move could pave the way for his daughter Sara to run for president.
“The prevailing feeling” among the people is that a candidacy by him in 2022 would be “a circumvention of the law, of the spirit of the Constitution,” the 76-year-old Duterte said. “Today, I am announcing my retirement from politics.” And, “In obedience to the will of the people who elected me to the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen: I will follow your wishes.”
The president may only rule for one term in the Philippines, according to the constitution. Duterte had originally announced in August that he would run for the second-highest office in order to be able to continue the “crusade” against drug traffickers and insurgents.
Doubts remain
Political observers and watchers, however, expressed skepticism about Duterte’s announcement, pointing out that last-minute changes are still possible. In 2015, for example, Duterte entered the presidential race at the last minute and won by a wide margin.
Daughter ahead in polls
For the May election, Duterte’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio is considered a possible contender. According to opinion polls, she is ahead in voters’ favor. On Saturday, she registered to run for a third term as mayor of the city her father had already ruled, according to state media. However, she currently belongs to a different party than her father.
The president and vice president are elected separately in the Philippines. If the president dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns during his term, his deputy takes office. The deadline to register as a candidate is Oct. 8, but latecomers can still register until Nov. 15.
Boxing star as candidate
Among the contenders for the presidency is boxing star and senator Manny Pacquiao, who recently retired from the boxing ring. Other candidates include Duterte’s ally Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, and former actor and mayor Francisco Domagoso, known by his stage name Isko Moreno.
Source: orf.at ORF/picture: ndtv.com
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