Davao City (CNN Philippines) — Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has categorically declared that he would not join the 2016 presidential race.
In a media conference on Monday (September 7), Duterte said the decision was reached after talking to his family.
At the same time, Duterte apologized to his supporters who spent so much time and effort in urging him to run for the highest national position.
The mayor specifically mentioned former Mayor Maria Fe “Bubut” Brondial of Socorro, Oriental Mindoro: Mayor Plerida Alberto of Virac, Catanduanes; former Pangasinan Vice Gov. Gonzalo Duque; former Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho of Masbate; the Laurels of Batangas; and the Mercados of Southern Leyte.
Though he would not run for president, Duterte said that he would be supporting some senatorial bets, specifically Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, and Rep. Samuel Pagdilao of the ACT partyliist group.
Duterte also promised his supporters, especially those running next year, that he would make up for all the effort and money they spent. The mayor said he would make up by helping them in their campaign.
As for the presidential candidate he would be supporting, Duterte said he will be keeping an open mind but refused to say for now who he would support. He said the three presidentiables can very well take care of their campaign and that they do not need any endorsement from him.
Duterte said he already talked with his daughter, former Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, with regards to their political plan. The mayor said he would be retiring from politics next year and that he would want his daughter to run for mayor next year.
Duterte said he would continue his campaign for federalism and that he would support whoever would support it. He reiterated his earlier statement that nothing short of federalism could appease the Muslim community, especially if the Bangsamoro Basic Law would not pass Congress.
