Palace: Let Duterte run against Roxas

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang will respect the decision of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run, if ever, for president.

In a press briefing on Monday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. reacted to reports that Duterte will run against Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II if the Liberal Party's (LP) senatorial lineup will include Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

"Nasa kanya pong pagpapasya ang nais niyang gawin," Coloma said.

"Sa atin pong demokrasya ay mayroong proseso sa paglahok sa paligsahang pampulitika at meron din namang mga??itinatakdang mga qualification[s]," he added. "Basta naman po kuwalipikado o gustong maglingkod sa bayan ay dapat nating bigyan ng pagkakataon at magalang na pagdinig ang kanilang mga pahayag."

Coloma, however, refused to comment on reports that the Nacionalista Party and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan will be leaving the LP coalition to support Duterte's supposed presidential bid.

Duterte is set to make an important announcement this afternoon, fueling speculations that he may finally decide on his plans for presidential election.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey on possible presidential candidates, Duterte ranked third behind Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

In a similar Social Weather Stations survey released last June, Duterte was in fourth place behind Poe, Binay and Roxas.

Duterte had been in a word war with De Lima regarding his brand of law enforcement and crime-busting efforts.

Duterte is allegedly linked to the Davao Death Squad, which is supposedly behind the summary executions of criminals in the city. - Louis Bacani