The sitting president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, announced he withdrew his candidacy for Vice President Saturday in the country’s next election and will officially retire from office.
The sitting president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, announced he withdrew his candidacy for Vice President Saturday in the country's next election and will officially retire from office.
Duterte stated: "The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that I'm not qualified, and it would be a violation of the constitution. In obedience to the will of the people … I will follow what you wish, and today I announce my retirement from politics."
According to Global News, recent polls showed a lack of support for Duterte to run for vice-president after serving a six-year term as president.
As a highly controversial figure, at one point, he even threatened to go to war against Canada.
The leader's vice presidential bid was a legal gray area since the Philippine Constitution prohibits presidents from serving consecutive terms. If elected vice-president, he would have to assume the role of president in some instances, such as the death, disappearance or incapacity of the standing president.
A Philippine president has run for other political positions immediately after their presidencies twice in the nation's history. However, nobody has ever tried to run for vice-president before under the same circumstances.
There is some speculation that Sara Duterte, Rodrigo's daughter, may pick up the political reins from her father. She is currently serving as the mayor of Davao, a position also once occupied by the elder Duterte.
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