Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced this Saturday that he will abandon his plan to run for vice president in next year’s election and that he will retire from politics when his term expires.
Rodrigo Duterte announced the surprise decision after escorting his longtime former adviser Senator Bong Guo to the Election Commission center, who instead presented himself as vice chairman.
The Philippine president is limited by the constitution to one six-year term, and opponents said they would question the legality of Rodrigo Duterte’s nomination for vice president in early September.
Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016 and launched a fight against illegal drugs, killing more than 6,000 minor suspects, raising alarm among Western governments and human rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating deaths.
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The Philippines entered a lengthy election season this Friday, registering for the May 2022 presidential election to select a successor to the popular and controversial Rodrigo Duterte.
Boxer, singer, actor, basketball player and really wants to become the President of the Philippines. The seven lives of Manny Pacquiao
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who announced earlier this week that he was leaving the ring to focus on the presidential struggle, was the first to submit the documents to the election commission.
Other candidates for the presidency include actor and politician Francisco Domagoso, the current mayor of Manila, and former police chief Panfilo Laxon.
Candidates must register by October 8 to participate in elections in which the presidency and vice president are directly and separately elected.
