President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has officially pushed through with his senatorial bid following the filing of his certificate of candidacy through a representative during the last hour of substitution filing on Monday (Nov. 15).
Duterte will be running under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS). He substituted Liezl Visorde who withdrew her candidacy on the same day.
“The [PDP-Laban] and the PDDS are in cooperation, coalition, and alliance. So isang grupo po ‘yan,” former Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica said on why Duterte ran under PDDS.
Belgica was among those who joined the filing of the Chief Executive’s candidacy.
#PTVBalitaNgayon | Nov. 15, 2021 / 5:15 p.m. update
Dating PACC Chair Belgica, nagbigay ng pahayag sa paghahain ng COC ni Pangulong Duterte pic.twitter.com/jQMxNI4YEF
— PTVph (@PTVph) November 15, 2021
Prior to this, his long-time ally Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed on Monday afternoon that Duterte will run for senator amid reports that he will seek the vice presidency.
Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the President will not fight his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio following reports that he will also join the vice presidential race.
The Davao mayor filed her candidacy for vice president over the weekend under Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
“As presidential spokesperson, I go by what the President says. It is Sen. Go for president, and I cannot see the President supporting anyone else for vice president other than Mayor Sara Duterte,” he said.
“As a lawyer, it is my view that it is not unconstitutional for a sitting president to run for vice president, or for senator for that matter,” he added. AG-rir
