MANILA, Philippines—Amid clamors for him to seek higher office, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has said running for president in 2016 was “a very long shot.”
“The presidency is a very distant star. Long shot, very long shot,” Duterte told reporters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the founding anniversary of Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila where he was the keynote speaker.
“You have the best candidates here (in Manila). Last resort lang (ako),” he said.
Duterte in his keynote message said there were other personalities he admired that could run for president.
“Sen. Grace Poe is good. Mar Roxas is good. Alan Cayetano is good. Chiz Escudero is good,” he said.
“Pero pag wala talaga kayong makita dito, tumingin kayo sa south, sa Mindanao, kasi ’andoon yung very good (But if you can’t find a good one here, look in the south, in Mindanao, that’s where you’ll find the very good one),” he added.
When asked to clarify his statement, Duterte was quick to say he was only joking.
Pressed for more answers, the mayor was asked if he was ready should the public look at him as a presidential candidate. He said, “if you inspire me.”
Duterte has been infamous for his strong political will and disciplinarian leadership in Davao City.
Amid months of speculation regarding his political plans, the mayor has been going around the country for a “listening tour” to promote federalism.