[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Sara Duterte, mayor of Davao and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has announced that she will not run in next year's presidential election.
Sara's spokesperson stated on the 4th, "She has no plans to become a member or candidate of the ruling party PDP Laban," according to foreign media reports.
President Duterte indicated on the 2nd that he would not run as a vice-presidential candidate in next year's election, while suggesting his daughter's presidential candidacy. At that time, he responded affirmatively to a reporter's question asking if his daughter would run for president as a running mate with Senator Christopher Go, who had registered as a vice-presidential candidate.
However, on the same day, Mayor Sara registered to run for re-election as Davao mayor. When asked by the media whether she would run for president, she replied "No" via text message.
Meanwhile, Sara's spokesperson also denied the presidential candidacy rumors, causing confusion over whether she will challenge for the presidency.
However, some believe that under the current election law, candidates can withdraw their registration by the 15th of next month and run for another elected office, so the possibility of a presidential bid remains open.
In particular, there is speculation that President Duterte may nominate his daughter as his successor to protect himself from international criminal proceedings by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and various criminal lawsuits related to the war on drugs he led shortly after taking office.
Recent polls show Mayor Sara leading in presidential candidate support. Senator Go, Duterte's political partner and closest aide, has registered as the ruling party's vice-presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the first to register as a presidential candidate for next year’s election was Manny Pacquiao, the Philippine boxing hero and senator. Following him, Francisco Domagoso, former actor and mayor of Manila, also registered as a candidate the day before.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
