Duterte undecided on 2022 VP run
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has yet to make a decision about his potential vice presidential bid in the 2022 national and local elections, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
This, after Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 national elections, said the President’s legacy might take a hit if he joins the 2022 vice presidential derby.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in an online press briefing, said Duterte would take into consideration all “well-meaning” pieces of advice from everyone, including Cayetano and his other allies.
“Wala pa naman pong desisyon kasi si Presidente Duterte. So, lahat po nang gustong mag-mungkahi, mag-bigay ng suhestiyon, welcome naman po sila dahil nasa proseso pa lang ng pagdedesisyon ang ating Presidente,” Roque said.
On May 31, Duterte’s ruling political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan adopted a resolution urging him to join the vice presidential race and choose the party’s standard bearer in the 2022 national elections.
There is also a growing clamor for Duterte to pair either with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, or his former long-time aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, in next year’s elections.
The President’s supporters are already rooting for either the “Duterte-Duterte” or “Go-Duterte” tandem.
Quizzed if Duterte mentioned his political plans during his meeting with select Cabinet officials on Monday night, Roque said: “It was a short meeting, a very short meeting. No [mention of] politics.”
Roque also reiterated his appeal to the public to just wait for the decision of Duterte and his daughter with regards to their political plans in 2022.
“Welcome po kayo to express your views and the President will consider. Iku-kunsidera po iyan ng Pangulo sa desisyong gagawin niya. Pagdating naman po kay (When it comes to) Mayor Sara, that’s a decision to be made by Mayor Sara. I’m sure she’s also listening to what the people have to say.”
