MANILA, Philippines — As Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced her withdrawal from seeking reelection as local chief executive, vice presidential aspirant Senator Bong Go hinted at possible “changes” in his 2022 plans.
Speaking before an audience in Antipolo City on Tuesday Go teared up as he blamed “chaotic” and “dirty” politics for affecting his candidacy.
“Alam niyo, magulo ang pulitika. Maraming pangyayari sa mga nakaraang oras na ayaw ko, na mahirap niyong maintindihan. Itong kandidatura ko bilang bise presidente ay maaaring magbago,” he said.
(You know, politics is chaotic. There are things that you wouldn’t understand. My candidacy for the vice presidency may change.)
“Hindi maiwasan, may mga changes sa pulitika, na sabi ko nga na napakadumi. Nandito ka na nga gustong magserbisyo sa kapwa mo Pilipino, eh mayroong mga pagbabago na wala naman akong magagawa,” he added.
(Changes in politics, which I describe as dirty, are inevitable. You are here and you want to serve the people, but there are changes that I have no control over.)
He said the changes may be announced to the public in the coming days.
“Gustuhin ko man magsilbi sa inyo bilang bise presidente dahil sa kagustuhan ng ating mahal na Pangulo, kailangan ko pong umiwas. Malalaman ninyo lang yan sa darating na araw,” an emotional Go said.
(Even though I want to serve you as the vice president, upon the desire of our President, I have to avoid it. You will know about it in the coming days.)
“Malalaman ninyo lang sa mga susunod na oras kung mayroong changes sa mga kakandidato at kung kailangan kong umiwas, wala akong magagawa,” he continued.
(You will know soon if there will be changes in the candidates. If I have to avoid it, I have no choice but to accept that.)
Go filed his certificate of candidacy for the vice presidency on Oct. 4, a move which surprised many since he was eyed to be a PDP-Laban faction’s presidential candidate along with President Rodrigo Duterte as his running mate, even though the senator had not accepted the nomination.
However, in a shock move, Duterte announced his intention to retire from politics after he steps down as chief executive and had Go run in his stead.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio announced the withdrawal of her certificate of candidacy for reelection as Davao City mayor, leaving many to ponder on what will be her final plans for 2022.
Duterte’s daughter is eyed to succeed her father in the upcoming polls.
Many have even speculated that Duterte’s party PDP-Laban’s current standard bearer, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is also a loyal ally of the President, is only a placeholder for the Davao City mayor.
Dela Rosa himself admitted that he would prefer if Duterte-Carpio would run for president in his place.
However, Duterte-Carpio may not run for the presidency at all.
Speculations of a Marcos-Duterte tandem was spurred after the Davao City mayor met with former dictator’s son and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Cebu City in late October.
READ: ‘Beautiful coincidence’: Bongbong, Sara meet in Cebu
Marcos’s sister, Senator Imee, even revealed that Duterte-Carpio urged Marcos Jr. to continue his presidential bid as she opted not to seek the position.