Ex-Philippine president Duterte hints at possible return to politics

Ex-Philippine president Duterte hints at possible return to politics

The 78-year-old's comments come amid calls for his daughter vice-president Sara Duterte to be impeached.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte ended his six-year term in June 2022 with a high popularity rating. (Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/AP pic)
MANILA:
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said he would be compelled to come out of retirement and run to become a senator or seek the nation’s second-highest post if his daughter, vice-president Sara Duterte, was impeached.

His comments come as the vice-president faces public scrutiny over her request for and past use of confidential funds, with one opposition lawmaker saying there have been informal talks at the House of Representatives to oust her.

“If you do that, I’ll return to politics. I will be forced to,” Duterte, the 78-year-old firebrand predecessor of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said in the local language during his regular interview with broadcaster SMNI on Nov 20, which was posted on Facebook. “It’s either I will run for senator or I will run for vice-president even if I’m old.”

Duterte, who ended his six-year term in June 2022 with a high popularity rating, warned political opponents he didn’t name that the mid-term election is “just around the corner.”

The Philippines will vote for local leaders as well as members of the House and the Senate in May 2025, and elect the next president and vice-president in 2028.

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