Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is joining the race in the 2016 national election for the presidential position, said his political adviser on Saturday.
When asked by GMA News Online if the mayor will run for president in 2016, Lito Banayo, political adviser of Duterte, said “Yes”, but the official and formal announcement from the mayor still has no definite date.
On Friday, Duterte told reporters in Davao City that he will wait for October 15 before announcing his decision whether he would go for the presidency or not. October 12 – 16 is the filing of certificate of candidacy at the Commission of Elections office in Manila.
In the previous months, Duterte had repeatedly informed the public that he will not run for the said position. However, his supporters are not convinced. In September, they staged a large gathering at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to show the mayor that there is a mass and grassroot support for him. OFWs in different countries like Thailand and Dubai have also staged gathering for the same purpose. A lot of netizens have expressed huge support to him by posting his videos. These and more may have prompted the mayor to reconsider his political plans.
Banayo also added that a partial list of senatorial candidates was “initially agreed” upon during a meeting with Duterte in Davao city last Wednesday night. The names are the following:
- Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao
- Former Senator Panfilo Lacson
- Sen. Sergio Osmeña III
- Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno
- Former Senator Miguel Zubiri
- Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez
- Former police official and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao
However, there is “no final choice for VP (vice president) yet”, Banayo said.
Lately, Senators Bongbong Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano made their announcements to run for vice president. Both senators are eyeing the possibility of having Duterte as their running mate.
Source: GMA News Online