President Rodrigo Duterte is running for senator next year, his longtime aide Sen. Bong Go said Monday on the last day of substitution of candidates for the 2022 elections.
By dropping his on-off plan to run for vice president, the President avoids a collision course with his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is seeking the number two post instead of the presidency.
Duterte is running under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan party, ruling political party PDP-Laban said.
The plot twist is the latest in political moves undertaken by the Dutertes since last week starting with Duterte-Carpio's vice presidential bid, and Go's run for the presidency.
Initially, Duterte said he would retire from politics after he aborted plans to run for vice president. On Saturday, he again said that he might run for vice president.
Duterte has remained popular among Filipinos that even as his net satisfaction ratings fell in September, it remained within "very good" levels.
READ:
Party Allies Urge President Duterte to Run for Senator
Duterte Should Be Senate President, Bato dela Rosa Says
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