Rodrigo Duterte accepts nomination to run as vice-president in 2022 Philippine election
- The president is barred from running for another term, and rivals have criticised his plan as an attempt to keep his grip on power
- Panfilo Lacson was the first to declare his candidacy but he trails behind Sara Duterte-Carpio, while Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jnr is eyeing a post
Duterte, 76, is barred by the constitution from running for a second term and his interest in being vice-president, traditionally a ceremonial role, has prompted accusations he wants to stay in power to avert possible legal action against him at home or abroad.
But Duterte said his decision was driven by love of country.
“It is really because I want to see the continuity of my efforts even though I may not be the one giving direction, I might be able to help,” Duterte said in addressing the party.
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Duterte had wanted long-time aide Christopher “Bong” Go, a senator, to succeed him, but Go declined the party’s presidential nomination.
“My heart and mind are focused on serving people,” Go said.
“What is important is we find someone with the same weight as President Duterte to continue the change.”
It was not immediately clear if the party has a second choice ahead of the deadline for registering candidates next month.
Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief, was the first to declare his candidacy for the presidential election.
Lacson, 73, made his announcement alongside Senate speaker Vicente Sotto, a former actor, musician and four-term lawmaker who will be his running mate in the separate vice-presidential contest.
“Between me and Senate president Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated and competent public service,” said Lacson, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2004.
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Lacson will be an outside bet and has been ranked low in independent opinion polls of preferred presidential candidates for 2022, which have consistently shown Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, as the winning candidate.
Sara, who replaced her father as mayor of Davao City and belongs to a different political party, has expressed openness to running for president, months after telling Reuters she had no interest in the job.
Last week she said she had been approached by several politicians offering to run with her if she seeks the presidency, but stopped short of confirming she will contest it.
Lacson, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004, is known for his tough stance on crime and for helping to draft a controversial anti-terror law, which activists have condemned and fear could be used to crush dissent in one of Asia’s most liberal democracies.
Lacson and Sotto spoke of the enormous challenges they would face if elected to lead Southeast Asia’s second most populous country, which is fighting one of the region’s deadliest coronavirus epidemics.
“The country is buried in debt, many have lost their jobs … corruption is prevalent and illegal drugs is still rampant,” Lacson said, in a swipe at Duterte, who was elected on promises to eliminate corruption and drugs.
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Meanwhile, the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos said he is eyeing a national post in the 2022 elections, opening the door for a presidential bid that could complicate Duterte’s political plans.
Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, who took a break from politics after losing the 2016 vice-presidential race, said he is already organising people on the ground who can help him mount a national campaign.
Marcos, 63, has been named as a possible administration candidate for the top post next year, with Duterte-Carpio naming Marcos as a potential running mate.
“We are in constant discussions with all other parties as to how to position ourselves for 2022,” Marcos said at a virtual forum on Wednesday, when asked if he is in talks with Sara’s camp. He added that his campaign will focus on pandemic recovery and food security.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
