Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday accepted his party’s nomination to run for vice president in next year’s election, forging ahead with a plan criticized by rivals as a cynical move to maintain his political power.The mercurial leader, 76, is barred by the constitution from seeking a second term and his interest in the largely ceremonial post has been dismissed by opponents as a bid to stay in office to avoid potential legal action at home or abroad.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.But Duterte, who has always portrayed himself as a reluctant leader, said his decision was driven by love of country.“It is really because I want to see the continuity of my efforts even though I may not be the one giving direction, I might be able to help,” Duterte said.Political vendettas are common in the Philippines and several former leaders, who lose their immunity of office, have been prosecuted and even jailed after changes in power.A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in the Hague is seeking to investigate the firebrand leader over thousands of killings in his notorious “war on drugs.”Experts believe Duterte, a maverick leader famous for his embrace of China and disdain for ally the United States, could be making a play for retaining power by taking over as president under a scenario in which his successor resigns.Duterte had urged senator and closest loyalist Christopher “Bong” Go to succeed him, but Go declined the party’s presidential nomination on Wednesday, saying his “heart and mind are focused on serving people.”The PDP-Laban party said it wants Go to change his mind.“We know he is competent and qualified to run,” senior official Melvin Matibag told a media briefing.Go’s declining of the nomination leaves open the possibility of Duterte’s daughter running for the presidency.Sara Duterte Carpio, 43, who replaced her father as mayor of Davao City and belongs to a different party, has given mixed messages about running, despite every opinion poll this year putting her as the number one presidential prospect.Earlier this year she told Reuters she had no interest in the job https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/run-sara-run-is-dutertes-daughter-playing-her-fathers-game-2021-04-15 but last week said several politicians had approached her offering to run on her ticket.Asked by Reuters on Wednesday if she would run, she said “no Comment.”Her father has said he would withdraw if she seeks the presidency.Political analyst Temario Rivera said that is because Duterte would feel secure with his daughter in power, despite their differences and expectation that she would run the country her own way.“Duterte will still be okay with that arrangement,” he said. “Blood is thicker than water.”Political analyst Edmund Tayao said much could still change, even after next month’s deadline for entering the contest.“Nothing is final until the filing of candidacy and expiration of the time for substitution,” Tayao told Reuters.Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson, 73, a former police chief, was the first to declare his candidacy for the presidential election, running for a second time after his unsuccessful bid in 2004.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended the bloody drug war that defined his presidency on Wednesday, saying he was ready to “face the music” as the International Criminal Court investigates thousands of deaths on his watch.
Duterte, whose presidency came to an end last year, told a group of prosecutors: “I did what needed to be done. We won’t be able to do anything if it turns out to be a disaster later on.”
But he later said: “I will face the music. I will rot in prison and I will die in prison.”
A video of Duterte’s speech was shared by an ABS-CBN news journalist on Twitter.
Duterte, who campaigned on promises to kill drug dealers, is being investigated by the ICC for possible crimes against humanity.
Thousands of drug users and alleged dealers were killed during Duterte’s “war on drugs”, many in mysterious circumstances.
Police say they killed 6,200 suspects during anti-drug operations that ended in shootouts but reject accusations by human rights groups of systematic executions and cover-ups.
Activists accuse Duterte of inciting violence in dozens of public speeches but he insists he told police to kill only in self-defence.
The ICC, a court of last resort, suspended its probe in November 2021 at the request of the Philippines after it said it was carrying out its own investigations.
The probe was reopened in January and the ICC on Monday rejected Manila’s request to suspend it pending an appeal questioning the court’s jurisdiction and authority.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday said he would “disengage” with the ICC. It was not clear if that meant the government would no longer pursue its appeal.
“Disengaging could mean many things, and that is what I want to clarify with the president,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was justice minister under Duterte, told news channel ANC.
Asked about the remarks of Marcos, the ICC said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Duterte, 78, whose daughter Sara is vice president, joked on Wednesday that the ICC would not get to prosecute him because he would likely be dead by 80.
