‘He did not turn it down’: Duterte ‘thinking hard’ about Senate bid in 2022 – Cusi

Will President Duterte take back his word on retiring from politics when his six-year term expires next year?

The President is now seriously studying whether or not he will run for senator in the 2022 elections as proposed by a faction of the PDP-Laban party.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who leads the party faction backed by the President, said they met Duterte and tried to convince him to seek a Senate seat if he is unwilling to run for vice president. He said Duterte, who castigated senators critical of his government, can bring his wealth of experience as well as “no-nonsense” governance to the legislative body.

“I believe the President is discerning and thinking hard about it because he knows the sacrifice he has to make,” Cusi said over CNN Philippines’ “The Source” program hosted by Pinky Webb on Friday, October 29, 2021.

“Sinabi namin kung talaga magdala ng pagbabago sa Senado, kailangan magdala ng kasama natin na siyang magsusulong ng programa na sinumulan natin — ‘yung mga anti-drug, anti-criminality, ant-insurgency, and all the others including the Build, Build, Build para magkaroon naman ng real change hindi lang sa executive but also sa legislative level,” he said.

Asked about the chances of Duterte running for senator, Cusi said Duterte “did not turn it down” the proposal.

“He did not give any answer. He must really be discerning, thinking about it seriously kung ano mabuting gagawin niya,” he said.

Last October, Duterte made a surprise move by announcing his withdrawal from the vice presidential race and plans to retire from politics. Duterte, barred under the Constitution from seeking another term, said he would “follow” the people’s sentiment, citing a survey that found most people believe his VP bid will be unconstitutional.

“So in obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen: I will follow what you want, and today I announce my retirement from politics,” he said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)