PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hinted at running for vice president in the 2022 presidential elections, but reiterated that if only there is “space” for him.
The Chief Executive, in his most recent national address, admitted there are things he wishes to continue when his term as president comes to a close, and becoming a vice president isn’t a bad idea after all.
“It’s not at all a bad idea and if there is space for me there, siguro. Pero kung wala akong space, everybody is crowding up, wanting to be one, vice president, sila na lang muna kasi tapos na ako,” Duterte said.
He also reiterated on his previous statement – that his vice presidential run would depend on the presidential bet he will support.
“There are things I would like to continue and that would be dependent on the president that I will support,” Duterte was quoted as saying on Monday night, notwithstanding his previous statement where he expressed plans to retire and go back to Davao City once his term ends next year.
Interestingly, Duterte has repeatedly said that he would only run for Vice President if her daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is the standard bearer.
It was actually a faction of the ruling party PDP-Laban which has been pushing for his VP bid. As early as March this year, draft resolutions have been filed, asking the President to consider running for Vice President. These resolutions, including one which gave Duterte the freehand to pick on the administration party’s standard bearer, were adopted in a meeting called for by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in his capacity as vice chairman last May.