Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Saturday that he will retire from politics after the end of his mandate.
“Today, I announce my retirement from politics,” Duterte said, accompanying loyalist Senator Christopher “Bong” Go from the ruling PDP-Laban party as he registered to run for vice president in next year’s election.
Duterte had been expected to run for Vice President in the 2022 elections, a highly contested move that most Filipinos see as a violation of the spirit of the constitution.
“It would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution” to run for the vice presidency, Duterte, 76, said.
Duterte said his decision is motivated by the wish of the people, who “placed me in the presidency many years ago,” as he urged the public to support the candidacy of his aide.
Political analysts say it is crucial for Duterte to have a loyal successor to protect him from potential legal action, internationally and locally, over the state killings during his war on drugs, Reuters reports.
Despite opposition accusing him of authoritarianism and intolerance towards dissent, Duterte remains popular among Filipinos.
The Philippines is set to hold an election in May where more than 60 million people will vote for a new president, vice president, and lawmakers and government officials.
President Duterte has yet to reveal his preferred successor, but many speculate a surprise run by his daughter, Sara Duterte.
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