IN another twist in the brewing political game, President Rodrigo Duterte formally filed his withdrawal of candidacy from next year’s senatorial derby this afternoon, December 14, 2021.

Duterte made the move after his long-time aide Sen. Bong Go also filed his withdrawal of candidacy for president hours earlier.
The president was accompanied by Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel when he arrived at the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) office in Intramuros to file his withdrawal.
The media who were present failed to interview him as he immediately left the Comelec office after his filing.
Go earlier said that it was only the president who knew of his decision to withdraw his candidacy.
Duterte filed his candidacy for senator under new party Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan or PDDS.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Commission on Elections)