By Sherwin Jakosalem

PHOTO: PCOO

"Unfinished business" against illegal drugs and corruption led President Rodrigo Duterte to seek the vice presidency in Election 2022.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed this on Thursday, August 26, during a virtual press briefing along with announcing the president's message on the issue of politics: “Things are clear now, I will run as vice president.”

“Ulitin ko lang po, kaya po tatakbo ang Presidente bilang bise presidente ay dahil mayroon siyang unfinished business–korapsyon, droga,” Roque said.

(I will repeat, the reason why the President will run for vice president is that he has unfinished business–corruption, drugs.)

However, there is still a chance that Duterte will not run for vice president if ever House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez will run for the same post.



The Palace spokesman said that Duterte will cancel his plans in running as vice president on 2022 as he promised last June to support the Leyte Representative if he will run as vice president

"Kung tatakbo po si Congressman Romualdez ay susuportahan pa rin niya [ni Pangulong Duterte]. Eh wala pa namang indication na tatakbo si Congressman Romualdez for vice president,” Roque said.

(If Congressman Romualdez will run, then the President will support him. But there is still no indication that the Congressman will run for the position.)

"I was there when the President said that [he will support Romualdez]. The President is a man of his word. If Congressman Romualdez will run, then he (Duterte) will not run for Vice President," Roque stated.

Romualdez, on the other hand, said he has no decision yet in running as vice president.