Escudero: VP Duterte’s election announcement signals early politicking

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Vice President Sara Duterte’s earlier pronouncement that her father and brothers are gearing up for their respective senatorial bids signals that the politics and politicking in the country have begun ahead of the 2025 midterm polls.

The newly-instated Senate chief, however, stressed that a lot more can happen before the official filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

READ: VP Sara: My father, brothers ‘gearing up’ for Senate run in 2025

“[P]ara sa akin, matagal pa ang last day of filing at [marami] pang pwede mangyari, tulad ng nakita natin sa mga nagdaang panahon,” he said in a text message to reporters.

(For me, the last day of filing is still a long time away and as we have seen in the past, a lot more can happen.)

“Bagamat hudyat ito na simula na ang pulitika at pamumulitika sa ating bansa kaugnay ng nalalapit na halalan sa 2025,” he added.

(This signals that politics and politicking in our country have begun in relation to the upcoming 2025 elections.)

Escudero maintained that the Dutertes have the right to run for any position.

“Karapatan nila tumakbo sa anumang posisyon sa darating na halalan at karapatan ng ating mga kababayan na pumili at piliin ang nais nilang manilbihan sa anumang pwesto sa pamahalaan,” he said.

(It is their right to run for any position in the upcoming election and the right of our countrymen to choose and choose who they want to serve in any position in the government.)

READ: 3 Dutertes target Senate; youngest eyes Palace next

Vice President Duterte on Tuesday confirmed that her father — former President Rodrigo Duterte – as well as her brothers — Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte — are all aiming for a Senate seat in the next elections. — Moss R. Laygo, INQUIRER.net intern