Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the preferred successor of Rodrigo Duterte, said on Tuesday he was withdrawing his candidacy for presidency.
Go, President Duterte’s long-time aide, had recently hinted
he may drop out of the race and his withdrawal leaves the
administration without a presidential candidate. It was not
clear yet who Duterte will now support.
“I and President Duterte are ready to support whoever will
truly serve and can continue and protect Duterte’s legacy
towards a more comfortable and safe and prosperous life for our
children,” Go said in a short speech streamed on Facebook.
Go said he was making the “supreme sacrifice for the good of
the country and for the sake of unity among our supporters and
leaders.”
Duterte’s daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is
running for the deputy post alongside the son of late Philippine
dictator and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has emerged as an early frontrunner.
The Southeast Asian nation of 110 million people holds
elections in May 2022 for positions from president down to
governors, mayors and local officials.
Duterte, 76, is barred by the constitution from seeking
re-election but he will run for a seat in the senate next year.-Reporting by Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Ed Davies