Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — Will Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade’s name be on the ballot this coming national elections? It’s President Rodrigo Duterte’s call, he says.
“Habang walang sinasabi ang ating Pangulo, magtrabaho tayo,” the Cabinet official said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday when asked whether he will run in the 2022 polls.
[Translation: For as long as the President isn’t saying anything, we will work.]
Tugade, a former classmate of Duterte and a past president of Clark Development Corp., was among Cabinet officials supposedly mentioned by the President as possible senatorial bets, according to a report of news website Politiko earlier this year.
But the DOTr chief said he has not yet decided on running for a post in the 2022 elections.
“Ako [As for me], I’m a good soldier and the President is a very good commander-in-chief,” said Tugade, adding that whatever the chief executive says “will go in so as far as I am concerned.”
Earlier this week, Malacañang said Duterte was not yet thinking about his administration’s bets as officials are still focused on the vaccine drive and pandemic response.
However, the Palace just this month named his supposed five choices for president. Duterte also recently encouraged television game show host Willie Revillame to run as senator, adding he can even become president eventually.
CNN Philippines correspondent Melissa Lopez contributed to this report.
