Former president signals end of political career; still hasn’t withdrawn COC for mayor
DESPITE formally submitting his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of Davao City, former President Rodrigo Duterte believed that his time had passed.
“Count me out. I am retired. Hindi na ako babalik, wala na akong babalikan. Ibigay ko na sa next generation. Hindi ko na panahon (I won’t return, I have nothing to come back to. I will turn it over to the next generation. It’s no longer my time),” he said in an interview with SMNI on Nov. 7, 2024.
“I am just waiting for kamatayan ko. Ayaw ko na. Ayaw ko na talaga (I am just waiting for my time. I’m done. I’m really done). Leave it to God,” he added.
Duterte filed his COC on Oct. 7, 2024, for the 2025 Mid-Term Elections. He is running against a formidable opponent in former 1st District congressman Karlo Nograles.
Nograles still had five years as chair of the Civil Service Commission, a Cabinet position that former President Duterte appointed him to.
“I go back home to Davao City and offer myself and my twenty-plus years of experience in government to serve you,” Nograles addressed Davaoeños after filing his COC on the morning of Oct. 8.
Duterte said that he wanted to pass on the responsibilities to the next generation, including his children, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who are prepared to continue his legacy of public service.
He even said that he wanted to see someone aside from a Duterte leading the city if it serves the people’s best interest.
The former president is known for his vague and even obscure statements. For instance, he always said that he was not running for the presidency only to file his COC through substitution. However, the Comelec En Banc already put a stop to the practice of substituting names after the last day of the filing of the COC.
During his recent visit to the mausoleum of his parents on All Saints’ Day, Duterte spoke candidly about his age and mortality, noting that he is simply “waiting for the Lord to take him.”
