ManilaTimes-Nov 16

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will be vying in next year’s elections, but not as a vice presidential candidate as many had believed. On Monday, Duterte filed his candidacy for senator instead. As indicated in his certificate of candidacy filed by his lawyer Melchor Aranas, Duterte will be running under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan party. The President’s decision to seek a Senate seat avoided a potential face off with his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is the vice presidential bet of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go revealed that Duterte chose to run for senator to mend frayed ties with the Davao City mayor. The Cusi faction of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) also confirmed Duterte’s Senate bid. In a statement, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the head of Lakas-CMD, said Duterte’s decision not to have a “face-off” with his daughter “finally put to rest the uncertainty that father and daughter will be both seeking the vice presidency.” “It also ends all speculation that there is a rift between them,” Revilla said. Read more at: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/15/news/duterte-files-coc-for-senator/1822313