Duterte says he respects Go’s decision to back out of 2022 presidential race

PHOTO/INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Speaking for the first time on the issue, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he respects the decision of his long-time aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go to drop out of the presidential derby in 2022, saying there is nothing to be done if one’s family is already involved.

In a speech during the meeting of national and regional task forces to end the local communist armed conflict in Zamboanga, Duterte first quipped when he introduced Go to the audience.

“Ano ba talaga, Bong, tatakbo ka o hindi?” he said.

(What is your decision, really? Will you run or not?)

“You have made a lot of people sad than happy. We respect your decision lalo na kung pamilya, wala na tayong magawa diyan,” he added.

(We respect your decision, especially if one’s family is already involved. We can’t do anything about it.)

Go earlier announced his withdrawal from the 2022 presidential race, saying his family disapproves of him running and wants to spare Duterte from conflict.

READ: Bong Go withdraws from presidential race; PDP-Laban now without standard-bearer

Duterte earlier endorsed Go’s candidacy and had wanted his long-time aide to partner with his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. He even endorsed the Go-Duterte tandem during a meeting with lawmakers.

READ: Bong Go withdraws from presidential race; PDP-Laban now without standard-bearer

However, Duterte-Carpio had sided with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

With Go withdrawing, a faction of the supposed dominant party PDP-Laban is left with no standard-bearer in the 2022 elections.

Go has yet to formalize his withdrawal from his candidacy before the Commission on Elections.