PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he is seriously considering running for vice president in 2022 and told officials and members of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to look for a viable presidential candidate.

“To the proposition that I run for vice president, medyo I am sold to the idea. Meaning to say, I am seriously thinking of running for vice president,” Duterte said.

“If I run for vice president, tapos ang presidenteng na-elect hindi ko kaibigan (and then the president who will win is not my friend), the situation would arise and I would remain an inutile thing there,” he said

Duterte said Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his long-time aide, is ready for the presidency.

“Bong Go is ready anytime,” he said.

“He has been with me for 23 years kaya natuto,” Duterte added.

Officials and members of the PDP-Laban urged President Duterte to run for vice president and choose Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as his presidential running mate in 2022.

Led by party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, members of the party went to Malacañang on Tuesday to convince the President to heed the party’s call for him to run in the next year’s elections.

“The people on the ground, Mr. President, wanted a transition of leadership that will guarantee continuity of the economic and infrastructure projects established under the Duterte administration,” he said.

“These petitions and resolutions coming from various local governments from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao representing PDP-Laban members and members of other political parties are now presented here to urge and convince you, Mr. President to run for vice president and to choose your running mate for president in 2022 national elections,” Cusi said in his opening speech.

President for External Affairs Secretary Raul Lambino told Duterte some local leaders wanted him to run with Go in 2022.

“Kung tatakbo po kayong vice president, unanimous po ang mga leaders po sa Pangasinan na sana po ang piliin ninyong kandidato sa president ay si Senator Bong Go po,” Lambino said.

Other party members, including Bulacan Rep. Rida Robes and Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Aimee Neri, among others, also urged the President to pick Go as his running mate.

“You are the answer for the continuity with Senator Bong Go,” Robes said.

“If ever po na pumili po kayo, ‘yun pong sinabi ninyo sa akin, Mr. President in 2012 na the public servant is the one who loves the people is si Senator Bong Go po. Kaya po malaki po at buong suporta po kami sa inyo ni Senator Bong Go,” Neri said.

While some members urged the President to pick Go, the other members, including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, urged the president to pick whoever he wants for president.

“Senator Bong Go is much qualified. Si Mayor Inday nandiyan din. Whatever happens, kung sinuman basta nandiyan ka sir, sagradong gagaling itong pasyente na Pilipinas ang pangalan,” dela Rosa said.

Duterte told party members and executives he was touched by the outpouring of sentiments of the members who wanted him to run.

He added that if he runs and wins, he will find a way to be “productive.”

Senator Go thanked the party officials and members but urged them to consider him as the last option.

“Consider me last, I am not interested to run for the presidency dahil alam kong mahirap talaga ‘yung trabaho. Kumbaga ‘yung tira na lang po ‘yung akin kung wala na talaga kayong ibang mahanap,” he said.

The senator said he leaves his fate to God and to the Dutertes.

“I leave my fate to God. I leave my fate to the Dutertes, [malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa kanila] at sa Pilipino,” the senator said.