Doubters of Duterte’s retirement told: Wait for COC filing, substitution deadlines

MANILA, Philippines — Those questioning President Rodrigo Duterte’s retirement should just wait until October 8 – the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), or until November 15 – the deadline for candidacy substitutions, “so we know what the President’s decision is.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this in a Palace briefing Monday, adding that he can no longer offer any further assurance to those who really wanted to doubt Duterte.

Duterte withdrew from the vice presidential race and instead declared he will retire from politics after his term ends in 2022. This was met with broad skepticism as Duterte also said the same thing in 2015, but later on, still ran for president.

“Kung talagang may nagdududa, antayin na lang natin ang Oktubre 8 para malaman natin kung ano ang desisyon ni Presidente. Kung meron pa ring duda, antayin po natin ang November 15 kasi ‘yun po ‘yung deadline para sa substitution,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

(If there are people really in doubt, let’s just wait for October 8 so we know what the President’s decision is. If there’s still doubt, let’s wait for November 15 because that’s the deadline for substitution.)

“Wala na po akong assurance na maibibigay doon sa mga talagang gusto magduda,” he added.

(I can no longer give any further assurance to those who are really doubtful.)

READ: Duterte ‘retiring,’ Go runs for VP – but eyes still on Sara

Roque also ruled out the possibility of Duterte running against his former longtime aide Senator Bong Go, who has already filed his COC for vice president.

“Bakit naman tayo magdududa kung sinabi na ni Presidente ‘yan? At naghain na po ng certificate of candidacy si Senator Bong Go for vice president. Hindi na po makakatakbo si Presidente sa position ng vice president dahil hindi naman niya pupuwede labanan si Senator Bong Go,” said Roque.

(Why will we doubt when the President himself already said it? Senator Bong Go already filed his certificate of candidacy to run for vice president. The President can’t run for vice president because he can’t fight against Senator Bong Go.)

READ: Bong Go files candidacy for vice president in 2022 polls

Prior to the 2016 national elections, Duterte repeatedly said he would not run for president. But later on, he withdrew his candidacy for reelection as Davao City mayor and substituted for Martin Diño as PDP-Laban’s standard-bearer.

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