Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte announces his retirement from politics

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines said on Saturday that he will not compete for vice president in 2022 and will retire from politics, perhaps clearing the way for his daughter to run for the country's highest position. "The overwhelming... feeling of the Filipinos is that I am not eligible, and it would be a violation of the constitution to bypass the law, the spirit of the constitution," Duterte said of running for vice president. "I am announcing my resignation from politics today," he added.

Duterte, who was swept to victory in 2016 on a pledge to rid the Philippines of narcotics, is legally banned from seeking a second term. In August, the authoritarian firebrand stated that he would run for vice president in the next election, a move that opponents argued was a ruse driven by fear of facing criminal charges after leaving power. Duterte made the unexpected announcement at the location where he was supposed to register his candidacy. He didn't say when he'd leave politics.

Duterte was in Metro Manila to support his former close aide and Senator Christopher Go, 47, who registered his candidacy for vice president. From October 1 to October 8ober, candidates for the 2022 elections might register their certificate of candidacy. Elections will take place on May 9, 2022.

The tough-talking leader has yet to name his chosen successor, but many believe it will be his daughter, Sara, who has emerged as the front-runner in recent surveys. She would almost certainly shield Duterte from criminal prosecution in the Philippines and International Criminal Court prosecutors investigating his murderous drug campaign, which rights organisations say has killed tens of thousands of people. However, the mayor of the southern city of Davao, a post held by her father before he became president, has stated that if Duterte runs for vice president, she would not run.

• Philippines
• Rodrigo Duterte
• narcotics
• politics
• retirement