MANILA, Philippines — Will President Rodrigo Duterte make good on his promise to resign if his son Paolo joins the race for Speaker of the House of Representatives?
Malacañang said the Chief Executive can “change” his mind.
“Eh siguro he will wait for that to happen kung totoong mangyari. But you know, sabi nga eh, ‘di ba sabi ko sa inyo, you make a position, you make a stand on the basis of circumstances, when those circumstances change, you also change your stand. So pwede ring magbago,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday.
On May 27, Duterte said he would resign if his son, former Davao City Vice Mayor and now Davao City 1st Dist. Rep. Paolo Duterte, would vie for the House speakership.
READ: Duterte: I will resign if Paolo runs to become House Speaker
In a statement earlier Tuesday, the younger Duterte announced he would join the speakership race.
“Moapil na ko pagka-speaker (Sasali na ako sa pagka speaker),” he said in Bisaya.
“The House is divided, I might be able to help unite it. Pareho lang kaming binoto ng mga tao ah. Kung term sharing, term sharing na kaming lahat,” he added.
Panelo, however, insisted Duterte – or his son Paolo – can still take back what they had said.
“Pwede rin magbago isip ng Presidente, pwede ring magbagong isip si Congressman Paolo Duterte. Tingnan natin. Let it evolve,” he said.
But was the President serious when he vowed to resign if Paolo indeed joins the fray for speakership?
Panelo said: “Ang isang tao ‘pag nagsalita ng isang bagay, seryoso ‘yun. Unless there are circumsatnces that will compel him to alter his stand. So hindi natin alam kung ano ‘yung kalakaran na maaring magpabago sa isip ni Presidente. Sa ngayon ‘yun ang sinasabi niya. Di pa natin alam ang kahihitnatnan.” (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)