Seventy-six-year-old Duterte has headed the Philippines since 2016 and, according to the country’s constitution, can only hold office for one six-year term. However, his critics have previously stated that they will also challenge his possible candidacy for vice president in the Supreme Court.
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“There is a general feeling among Filipinos that I am not entitled to run and that it would be a violation of the constitution to run for vice president,” Duterte explained his move, according to AFP. “Today I am announcing my (future) departure from politics,” he added.
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Daughter of Philippine President Sara Duterte
Foto: Lean Daval Jr, Reuters
This may be related to the possible candidacy of Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpi, 43. This mayor of Davao was ambiguous about the possible candidacy. According to the BBC, she said last month that she would not take part in the competition. Her father said she agreed that only one family member would run. Although she did not announce her official candidacy, she led in all of this year’s surveys.
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While her support has declined, according to a September poll quoted by Reuters this week, the popularity of other candidates is growing, most notably 42-year-old boxer Manny Pacquia, who announced his candidacy two weeks ago and has been a senator since 2016.
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The presidential election in the Philippines will take place next May.
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Duterte’s tough policy
Even before taking office as mayor of Davao, Duterte became famous for his tough drug campaign, which he continued as president. Security forces killed more than 6,000 people during the fight against drugs, mostly smaller traffickers or drug users. According to human rights organizations, there are many more victims.
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In September this year, judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced that the ICC would launch an investigation into murders committed as part of the Philippine government’s fight against drug trafficking. The investigation covers the years 2011 to 2019, when the Philippines fell under the jurisdiction of this court, before Duterte decided to withdraw the Philippines from the founding treaty of the ICC.
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