PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he and his former long-time aide, Senator Christopher Go, will not pursue their plans for the May 2022 elections if daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio decides to run for president, Malacañang confirmed Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
“I confirm he (Duterte) said that. Not sure why it was edited out,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a text message to reporters.
Duterte made the statement in a recorded Talk to the People address, but this was edited out of the video that was aired Tuesday evening, August 24, 2021.
Earlier Tuesday, the Cusi faction of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) said Duterte had accepted the nomination for vice president, which will be officially made when the party holds its national convention on September 8.
The party did not name its presidential bet but Go earlier said he will run for president only if Duterte agrees to be his vice president.
According to Roque, Duterte said he and Go will “give way” if Sara eventually decides to seek the presidency.
In the aired version, Duterte confirmed that he will run for vice president in the 2022 elections.
“Gusto talaga ninyo? Oh, sige, tatakbo ako ng bise presidente. Then I will continue the crusade. I’m worried about the drugs, insurgency… well, number one is insurgency, then criminality, drugs,” he said.
“I may not have the power to give the direction or guidance, but I can always express my views in public. For whatever it may be worth in the coming days, nasa Pilipino na ‘yan. Nandiyan lang ako, magsabi lang ako,” he added.
The party also said its senatorial slate will include House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar. (SunStar Philippines)