Former president and seasoned politician Rodrigo Duterte hinted at retirement from politics again, telling reporters in a recent interview that the next mayor of Davao City need not be him, as he expressed his desire to step away from public service after over three decades in government.
“Ayaw ko na. Ayaw ko na talaga (I am done. I’ve really had enough). Whoever… Alam mo (You know), leave it to God. Hindi kailangang Duterte ang mayor (The next mayor does not have to be a Duterte),” the Duterte patriarch told SMNI News last Nov. 7.
Duterte said that he is willing to pass the leadership of Davao City to the next generation. “Ako, tapos na ako, ibigay ko na lang chance sa iba (As for me, I am done, I will give the chance to the others),” said the former president.
The long-time politician issued these remarks, but did not say whether he plans to withdraw his certificate of candidacy as mayor of Davao City to make good of his intentions to completely retire from politics.
Duterte also said he is leaving the political fortunes of his children to fate, particularly incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte and eldest son Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, whom he fondly calls by their nicknames ‘Inday’ and ‘Pulong’ respectively.
“Ang buhay ay palad-palad. Kung nasa palad nila (Life is a matter of destiny. If it’s in the palm of) Inday, Pulong, if they stay there forever or just for one election and re-election, nasa palad na ‘yan (that’s in the palm of their hands),” he said.
The Dutertes are gunning for multiple offices in the city in the 2025 elections.
The former president is running for mayor against former Civil Service Commission chair and first district representative Karlo Nograles, independent candidates Bishop Rod Cubos, social media personality Roweno Caballes, Joselito Tan, and Jonathan Julaine.
Meanwhile, incumbent mayor Sebastian Duterte is running for vice mayor while his elder brother Rep. Duterte is up for re-election in the first disrict.
In the second district, Rep. Duterte’s son Omar is running for representative. Another son, Rigo, is gunning for a seat on the city council representing the first district.
