Duterte still says ‘no’ to PDP-Laban presidential slot

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – No is still no for mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who said the prodding of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for him to substitute for Martin Diño will not change his mind.

“Nothing has changed in my position about it (presidential candidacy),” Duterte said in refusing to change his mind about not running for the presidency during his Sunday TV show Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.

“I don’t have the stomach for it,” he said.

Asked by the host about his reaction to the statements from PDP-Laban officials that he was selected to replace Diño, Duterte said he has not received a formal communication from the party.

“That is what I heard but I have not received any official communication from PDP compelling me to run for president,” Duterte said.

He explained that he was looking at holding another term as mayor of Davao City, but he might retire if his daughter, former mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, would substitute for him.

“But if Inday will agree with the substitution process and she will run for mayor, then I will immediately announce my retirement,” Duterte said.

This is the plan, according to Duterte, adding that the campaign initiated by her daughter to shave their heads was actually a protest against those who were egging her father to run despite the disadvantage in money and machinery.

A photo– with Sara and brother Sebastian sporting a skinhead, and vice mayor Paolo with a Mohawk haircut, recently circulated on social media.

“Sara’s was in protest against people who kept on harping on me to run for president,” Duterte said.  SFM