MANILA: President Rodrigo Duterte is open to seeking a Senate seat in the May 2022 elections, his closest
confidant Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said.
Go said the President was looking at several factors before making a decision, including whether his candidacy will help PDP-Laban bets win or whether a Senate stint will help the country.
“He is studying it carefully. If that would help the country, he might run. He’s considering running for the Senate, “ Go said.
Last week, PDP-Laban president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi disclosed that the ruling party was convincing Duterte to run for senator in Eleksyon 2022.
PDP-Laban Cusi wing’s original plan was for Duterte to run for vice president with Go as the presidential bet.
Duterte even accepted his party’s nomination, but he changed his mind on October 2 when he announced he would be retiring from politics.
This came after a Social Weather Stations poll found that a majority of Filipinos believed that a president running for vice president in the next election would violate the 1987 Constitution.
Go also filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president on October 2.
He said he had made up his mind about his run for the vice presidency, but he disclosed that PDP-Laban officials would meet before November 15 to finalize their slate for next year’s elections.
Under the Commission on Elections’ calendar for Eleksyon 2022, the deadline of candidate substitution is on November 15. “I am 100pc sure on my candidacy for vice president.”
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