Duterte aide: Sara didn’t file COC for mayor

Former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte didn't file the certificate of candidacy for mayor that she filled out and posted on her Instagram, a spokesman for her father Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said late Friday afternoon.

In a radio interview, Christopher "Bong" Go said Sara filed the COC for mayor expecting her father with withdraw his candidacy for reelections. Duterte has said that he wants to retire after his term ends in 2016.

Go said that while Sara's COC was filled out, it was not received by the Comelec in Davao City.

Sara's COC post gave rise to speculation that Duterte was running for president.

Go said Duterte already announced on Monday that he was not running for president. He lamented the reports on Friday that Duterte was on his way to Manila on a private plane to file a COC for president at the last minute.

Duterte didn't file a COC for president but his party, the PDP-Laban, fielded a presidential candidate.

Martin Diño, an anti-crime advocate like Duterte, filed a COC for president as a member of the PDP-Laban.

A PDP-Laban candidate means Duterte could still run as a substitute candidate if Diño will withdraw before December 10, the deadline for filing of candidacies for substitute bets.

Go, however, indicated that Duterte had nothing to do with the PDP-Laban's move.

He said Duterte could not control what the PDP would do.

Go reiterated Duterte's position not to run for president because his family doesn't want him to and because he doesn't have the resources to do so. -NB, GMA News