Duterte Confirms He’ll Run For VP In 2022 After 6 Years As Philippines President

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday confirmed that he is considering running for vice president in the 2022 elections after his six-year term as the country’s president ends.

Under the 1987 Philippines Constitution, a president can only serve a six-year term. This means Duterte, 76, is no longer eligible to run for the top post, which ends in June 2022.

During a press conference for the inauguration of the LRT 2-East Extension Project, Duterte urged the public to consider him as a vice-presidential candidate and note “to maintain the equilibrium.”

"All I have to do is join the military and the police in the fight against crime, drugs, especially, criminality and all… Maybe, go around the ASEAN countries for a more cohesive relation between them," he said, according to ABS-CBN News.

Duterte’s allies argue that he can run for the second-highest post, which is the vice president’s seat. But some critics say it violates the Constitution.

When asked what legacy his administration would leave, the Filipino president encouraged the public to “look around” to see his accomplishment.

“This, for instance,” he said, referring to the LRT Extension Project, as translated by the publication. “I do not want to boast, this is not my money.”

“I will just mention what were the projects completed without necessarily attributing the miracle to me. I am just a government worker, I am just working, so I should have nothing to boast,” he added.

Duterte also revealed that some of his party mates at PDP-Laban were urging him to run for vice president and choose his running mate. Some even urged the president to choose Sara Duterte-Carpio, her daughter and the mayor of Davao City, to be his running mate.

However, he noted that he will only run if “there is space,” adding that he promised to show his support for House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez should he make a bid for vice president, the Philippine Star reported.

In his tenure as the Philippines president, Duterte has gained notoriety for his crackdown on illegal drugs in the country, as well as his vulgar rhetoric. However, his popularity ratings still remain high, according to the Associated Press.