Is Philippine senator’s sudden exit from presidential race all part of ‘wily’ Duterte’s plan?
- Loyal ally Christopher Go pulled out just 17 days after filing his candidacy for president, and a week after seemingly regretting his decision to contest
- But observers say a deal struck between Duterte and Bongbong Marcos to protect him from prosecution over the war on drugs may be behind Go’s withdrawal
Go on Tuesday told reporters that he was exiting the race just 17 days after filing his candidacy for president, accompanied by Duterte himself.
“I am withdrawing from the race,” Go said. “In the past few days, I realised my heart and my mind are contradicting my actions. My body, heart and mind have been really resisting [the decision to run]. I am only a human who feels pain and tiredness. For now, those are my reasons for withdrawing.”
Observers say the possible deal is likely to involve Duterte withholding any criticism of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted in 1986. In exchange, the former senator may shield Duterte from criminal prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating him for crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs.
“I believe [Go’s] withdrawal signifies that concessions have already been made with the Bongbong Marcos camp, primarily the protection from prosecution, which includes the ICC,” former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Tuesday.
However, Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez pointed out that Go was still technically in the running as he had not given official notice to the poll body that he was pulling out, Tuesday being a public holiday.
Go’s announcement did not surprise politicians because at a Duterte-backed event just last week endorsing him as the official presidential candidate from the ruling PDP-Laban party, the 47-year-old senator appeared to be having cold feet.