By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: PCOO

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the public should "consider" him as "a candidate for the vice presidency" in the 2022 national polls “to maintain equilibrium.” 

Speaking at an event inaugurating Light Rail Transit  (LRT) 2 East Extension Project, Duterte said: “Posturing yan e, political posturing so that they would not treat you badly kasi paalis na ako e.”

The chief executive also seems to unveil his future plans if he decides to pursue the candidacy and be elected for vice president.

“Ngayon kung tatakbo ako ng vice president, manalo ako, kung hindi ko kaalyado yang presidente, all I have to do is to join the military and the police in the fight against crime, drugs especially, criminality and all.And also, maybe go around the Asean countries for a more cohesive relation between them kasi wala na ako,” he said.

Last May 31, the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) unanimously adopted a reso seeking for Duterte’s vice presidential run in the 2022 elections.

However, during an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy over SMNI, the President dismissed such calls and said he is ready to retire. But, the Palace emphasized that he is just resisting but not yet saying no on the matter.

Moreover, during his weekly public address, Duterte said he “maybe consider gunning for vice presidency if there is space for him.”

“It’s not at all a bad idea, and if there is space for me there siguro pero kung wala akong space and everybody is crowding up wanting to be one, vice president, sila na lang muna kasi tapos na ako,” he said.