By Lance Arevada

PHOTO: PCOO

In a surprising turn of events, President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his retirement from politics after withdrawing his candidacy for Vice President in the 2022 Elections with his long-time aide Senator Bong Go replacing him.

"In obedience to the will of the people who after all placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say sa mga kababayan ko sundin ko ang gusto ninyo.: and today I announce my retirement from politics," Duterte declared.

The President made the pronouncement while accompanying Go in his filing of certificate of candidacy for Vice President under the ruling party PDP-Laban.

Duterte cited that the public sentiment showed that his run for vice presidency is a violation of the Constitution and a form of circumventing the law.

“The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that I am not qualified, and it would be a violation of the Constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the Constitution,” he said.

A latest SWS survey reported that six out of 10 Filipinos think Duterte’s bid for vice presidency is a violation of the intention of the Constitution. While a recent Pulse Asia vice presidential poll revealed that Duterte is placed second behind Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

In September, Duterte accepted his party’s nomination to run for Vice President as he “agreed to make sacrifices and heed the clamor of the people.” 

"Gusto ninyo talaga? Oh, sige, tatakbo ako ng bise presidente. Then I will continue this crusade. I'm worried about the drugs, insurgency, then criminality, drugs," the President previously said.