It is finally official.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced in his public address last Tuesday that he will be running as vice president in the 2022 National and Local Election (NLE) confirming the earlier statement of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“Okay. I will run as vice president. Then, I will continue the crusade. I’m worried about the drug and insurgency,” Duterte said.
“I may not have the power to give direction or guidance [on government policies], but I can always express my views in public for whatever it may be worth in the coming days nasa Pilipino na yan,” he added.
PDP-Laban Executive Vice President and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles already announced Duterte accepted their party’s endorsement to become its vice presidential candidate in the upcoming polls.
Prior to the said statement from PDP-Laban, Duterte already said last July that he is considering becoming a vice presidential candidate so he could continue his advocacy against illegal drugs and corruption.
Some election watchdogs already aired their opposition against the move, which they said is a ploy of Duterte to maintain his political power beyond 2022, when his term as president ends.