Duterte declines Miriam VP offer, endorses Teodoro instead

Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that he is not accepting the offer of Senator Miriam Santiago as her running mate in 2016, saying that he is “not good for national office” and that he will retire after his term as mayor.

“I am honored by the declaration of Senator Santiago but unfortunately, I said I am not good for national office and besides, I intend to retire after this term. Gusto ko na mag-retire. Matanda na ako,” Duterte said in an interview with Davao City reporters.

[I am honored by the declaration of Senator Santiago but unfortunately, I said I am not good for national office and besides, I intend to retire after this term. I want to retire. I am old.]

He said that this statement will finally end all speculations that he would run for any government position after his term.

‘Utang na loob’ 

Instead, Duterte endorsed former Defense secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to run as Santiago’s vice president saying that his “capabilities are beyond issue” and that he has “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to Teodoro who stood by him during the “lowest times” of his life.

“I know him and on a personal note, may utang na loob ako sa kanya. Itong tao na ito, he is honest, the capabilities are beyond issue. In my low moments sa buhay ko noon, he stood by me.”

[I know him and on a personal note, I have a debt of gratitude to him. He is honest and the capabilities are beyond issue. In my low moments in my life then, he stood by me.]

Duterte recalled that as his lawyer, Teodoro won the cases filed against him in the Supreme Court.

The Davao city mayor also added that Teodoro is a “man of integrity and competence” and he would support the former defense secretary “all the way”.

“Instead, I am asking Gilberto Teodoro to accept that. He is a man of integrity and competence and he would make a good vice president,” Duterte added.

President from Mindanao? 

Asked on the possibility of having a president of the republic from Mindanao, Duterte said that they would have to wait for another generation.

“In God’s time, there will be a president coming from Mindanao. Pero hindi ako ‘yan,” Duterte said.

[“In God’s time, there will be a president coming from Mindanao. But that is not me.]

Santiago said Wednesday that she “would love” to have Duterte as her vice president if she runs in 2016 presidential elections. The lady senator also eyed Teodoro and Senator Grace Poe as her possible running mate.

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