Duterte retiring, won’t seek presidency

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – This is the final word: Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is retiring from politics and will not run for president next year.

“I would like to categorically state now... that I am not running for president,” Duterte told a press conference at the Grand Menseng Hotel   here yesterday afternoon.

“I have no ambition to become president. I’m sorry to all of you who believe in me, who spent money and toiled tirelessly to advertise my name.”

He is retiring from politics, and is not seeking any national or local post, Duterte said. 

“I believe it is no longer my time to be in politics,” he said. “I will retire after my term. Thank you.” 

He hopes that his pronouncement would end the long wait of his supporters, some of whom have spent huge amounts of money for his possible presidential run next year, Duterte said.

“I have talked with my family regarding the matter and after talking to them, I decided I am not running at all,” he said.

“After talking to my family and to all persons interested in my career as a politician, I would like to categorically state now and also to put a stop to the agony of those who believe in me that I am not running for president.” 

He also talked with his daughter, former mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio about her political plans, Duterte said.

“In 2016, Inday and I have an understanding   that I will ask her to run for the mayorship,” he said. “In 2016 I will retire from public life for good.”  

Duterte’s son, Sebastian, is also being groomed to run for Congress in the city’s third district. 

Duterte hurriedly left the Grand Menseng Hotel after making the  announcement that lasted for  about 10 minutes. 

He refused to answer any question regarding his decision. 

However, he will continue to push for a shift to a federal form of government, Duterte said.

He thanked supporters from different parts of the country that he had visited for his listening tour.

He will push for the senatorial candidacies of his good friends Representatives Mark Villar of Las Piñas, Roman Romulo of Pasig City, and Samuel Pagdilao of ACT-CIS, Duterte said.