Malacanang promised a "bombshell" announcement from President Rodrigo Duterte during his taped address that aired on Tuesday close to midnight.
Duterte said he would run for vice president, something that his party mates at PDP-Laban announced hours before. Here's what followed:
There's an uncut version of the tape
In a portion of the "Talk to the People" Aug. 24, 2021 edition, Duterte reportedly said that he would not seek the vice presidency if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio would run to succeed him.
Duterte also reportedly said that he be vice presidential candidate to his long-time aide, Sen. Bong Go.
Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles confirmed to CNN Philippines that the President indeed said on tape that his vice presidential bid was preconditioned on his daughter's political plans.
Sara says 'stop talking about me'
Duterte-Carpio said his father and Go should stop talking about her in the context of her political plans. She has not decided on whether or not she would run for president.
The younger Duterte said her father told her personally that he would run for vice president next year with Go as presidential candidate. She said the chat was "not a pleasant event".
The President also left two letters with her, one explaining why she should endorse the Go-Duterte tandem and another suggesting that she takes Go as her vice president, the mayor said.
"I strongly suggest to the President and Sen. Go to own up publicly their decision to run as a tandem. If they can confirm it privately, then I do not see the reason why they cannot be candid about it to the public," Duterte-Carpio said.
"I respectfully advise them to stop talking about me and make me the reason for them running or not running," she said.
Why is Duterte running for vice president?
The President said there's more to be done in the war on drugs, the centerpiece of his government. His PDP-Laban allies said this would ensure "continuity".
"Gusto talaga ninyo? O sige, tatakbo ako ng bise presidente then I will continue the crusade. I'm worried about the drugs, insurgency...then criminality," the President said.
"I may not have the power to give the direction or guidance but I can always express my views in public for whatever it may be worth in the coming days," he said.
Who will be the President's opponents?
At the top of the list: Senate President Tito Sotto, running mate of Sen. Panfilo Lacson who will be running ofr president for the second time.
Among others who have hinted at plans to run for the second highest post: House Majority Leader Martin Somualdez, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and former Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
How did the President-Mayor get here?
Here are the numbers that defined Duterte's road from Davao City Hall to Malacanang palace to vice presidential timber.
It's a potential game-changer in Philippine politics, analysts said. While presidents are barred from seeking a second term, a vice president Duterte will put him first in the line of succession for the post that he will vacate at noon of June 30, 2022.
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