President Rodrigo Duterte, in a closed-door meeting at the Palace las week, has reiterated his conditions for his possible vice presidential bid in the May 2022 presidential elections.
A well-placed source said Duterte told his audience that he would only run for vice president if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, will not seek a national position in 2022.
The President said this condition still stands despite Duterte’s acceptance of the PDP-Laban nomination to be its vice presidential bet in the upcoming elections.
Duterte added that even if his daughter does not run for president, he can also back out from the vice presidential race if Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez will file his candidacy for vice president.
The President earlier said he will throw his full support to Romualdez if ever the congressman from Leyte seeks the second highest position.
“If Romualdez runs, I will not run. If Romualdez does not run, I think
I will still not run. Everybody wants a good rest after a grueling [six years]. If Romualdez runs, I will support. That is my promise. I will honor my word,” Duterte said.
In a previous interview, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he believes the Chief Executive is a man of his word.
“He has given his word that if Congressman Romualdez will run for vice president, he will support him. I believe if Congressman Romualdez will run, he [Duterte] will not run for vce president,” Roque said.