Binay regrets Duterte’s decision not to run for president

MANILA, Philippines — Even Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday expressed regret that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte did not file his certificate of candidacy for president at the last minute.

“Sayang. Sayang talaga. Kasi si Mayor Duterte talagang huwaran, modelo ng isang magaling na executive. Sayang. Pero hindi naman lubos na masasayang kasi mai-pagpapatuloy pa niya pa yung mga plano niyang magaganda para sa Davao city. (It was a waste, such a waste because Mayor Duterte is a model for his competence in the executive department. But it would not be fully a waste since he still plans to continue his good plans for Davao City),” Binay said in his visit to Tondo, Manila.

Asked by reporters if he wanted the tough-talking Davao City Mayor to seek the presidency which he has been vying for, he said: “Oo naman! (Yes, of course!).”

“I was consistent on this and I have told you this before. He was very qualified,” Binay said.

Duterte was a no-show until the last minute of the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Election Headquarters on Friday, reiterating his earlier statements that he had decided not to run for president and would stick to that decision.

Martin Dino, secretary general of the PDP Laban, the party pushing for Duterte’s presidency, filed his CoC, opening the possibility that Duterte could substitute him by December, the deadline for substitutions.  Duterte, however, told dzmm’s Dos Por Dos anchors, Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja, that he would not engage in such a stunt.  SFM