Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s son Paolo considering run for top spot in Congress

Paolo Duterte, who won a seat in May’s midterm election, has proposed to share the three-year term as speaker

But the 44-year-old’s father has previously said he would resign the presidency if his son becomes speaker

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Paolo Duterte, son of the Philippines’ president, in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:55pm, 2 Jul 2019Updated: 11:01am, 3 Jul 2019

The son of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday he might seek the speakership of the lower house of Congress, heating up a race for leadership of a legislature dominated by his father’s allies.

Paolo Duterte, 44, who won a seat in May’s midterm election, proposed to share the three-year term as speaker and wants to settle what he said was a divide in a newly-elected chamber that has yet to convene for its first session.

“We are not talking about two persons here. We are talking about our beloved country,” he said in a statement.

“It is not about speakership alone, but who is the right person to unite Congress,” he added.

The president has yet to endorse a candidate amid intense lobbying for the post. A month ago, Duterte said he would resign the presidency if his son became speaker, because there were already three Dutertes in office.

President Duterte has said he will resign if his son becomes speaker. Photo: Reuters

He was referring to daughter Sara Duterte, his successor as Davao City mayor, and youngest son, Sebastian, her vice mayor.