Receive free updates in the Philippines
We will send it to you myFT Daily Digest an email circulating the latest news in the Philippines every morning.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that he was leaving politics and abandoning presidential requests that would allow him to remain in office for another six years.
The move came after a recent vote decrease the popularity of the 76-year-old leader, and shows that the Filipino people are mostly think that his or her deputy has violated this rule.
“Today, I am announcing my resignation from political office,” Duterte said He said in a statement quoted by Reuters. Duterte spoke to his closest aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as Go who has registered to be the second president of the ruling PDP-Laban party in next year’s elections.
“In obedience to the will of the people, who later appointed me to the presidency many years ago, I now say to my fellow citizens, I will follow your wishes,” Duterte said, urging voters to support the Go election.
Duterte, since taking power in 2016, was one of the most influential presidents in Philippine history, but his support has dwindled during the coronavirus epidemic.
A poll published this week showed support for him and his daughter Sara Duterte, a mayor of Davao’s family home who many Filipinos believe could lead to a presidential election.
A Pulse Asia poll published on Wednesday showed Duterte falling for second place behind Senate President Vincente Sotto as a second-term presidential candidate. The same survey showed Ms. Duterte as the most popular who could take the top chance but her support dropped from 28 to 24%.
Philippine law prohibits seals from seeking a second term, but experts said to remain as the second number for his daughter or another friend could help protect Duterte from future criminal charges as the International Criminal Court investigates the killings in its war on drugs.
“I think he’s reading the writing on the wall, and the writing on the wall says he has a problem if he can run on his own,” said Richard Heydarian, a political analyst. “He thought it was important to be the next president – but it looks good, and it is Senate President Tito Sotto, who is leading him.”
Manny Pacquiao, a boxer, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno are among those who signed their presidential nominations. Filipinos have also speculated that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the last dictator’s son and fellow politician from Dutertes, could enter the race. Marcos was endorsed by the KBL party of his late father.
The deadline for elections is October 8, but parties can run until mid-November on behalf of candidates who have died, left, or been suspended by the country’s electoral commission.
Twitter: @JohnReedwrites