One more time: Palace says Duterte to retire from politics in 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Once again, Malacañang said that President Rodrigo Duterte plans to retire from public service after his stint as the country’s top leader “to spend more time with his family.”

The latest statement on the matter, this time coming from Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles, comes after Duterte withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the May 2022 elections.

“After over four decades in public service, the President plans to retire from the government to spend more time with his family when his term ends in June 2022,” Nograles said.

READ: Duterte withdraws from senatorial race

Duterte has previously announced his retirement from politics during the filing of COC in October. However, he still lodged his bid for a Senate seat through substitution in November.

READ: President Duterte announces retirement from politics

The Palace official said Duterte’s exit from next year’s national polls will allow him to concentrate on the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

“The President believes that withdrawing from the senate race will allow him to better focus on managing our pandemic response in order to sustain the progress we have made in the country and in safely reopening the economy,” Nograles said.

Duterte also sees the move “as an opportunity to concentrate on efforts to ensure transparent, impartial, orderly and peaceful elections in May,” he added.

Earlier this day, Duterte’s long-time aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go formally backed out from the 2022 presidential race.