Duterte: Running for VP a ‘good idea’ but...

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said that running for vice president in Eleksyon 22 would be a "good idea," before saying that holding the second highest post in the land would just be waiting for the president to "wilt."

"There are a lot of people pushing me to run for vice president. It is a good idea, I think, particularly if we talk about the drug problem," he said in a speech at Malacañang.

"I'm scared. I'm not worried, I'm scared for the next generation. Pero vice president, wala 'yan [that's nothing]. It is just a flower there until the other wilt," he added.

Duterte, whose term ends in June 2022, said last week that he was not keen on running for vice president, despite calls by his party PDP-Laban to run next year.

"Mahirap 'yan... kasi mag-retire na ko tapos this time ako ang mamili ng presidente," Duterte told Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

[This is difficult as I will be retiring soon, and this time I’ll be choosing my successor for president.]

Instead, in Wednesday's speech he said that he had promised to support House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez if the Leyte representative decides to run for vice president.

Duterte said that it was a deal he made with Romualdez while the latter was a contender for the House speakership, along with fellow congressmen Alan Peter Cayetano and Lord Allan Velasco.

"Kaya ang deal ko sa kanya ganito: 'Huwag ka na lang mag habol diyan [My deal to him was this: 'Don't go after that position], and next election, which is just around the corner, if you run for vice president, I will support you," he said.

“Pag tumakbo si Romualdez, wala ako. Pag hindi tumakbo si Romualdez, wala rin ako siguro. Everyone wants a good rest after a grueling...inshallah, makaabot ako sa finish line,” Duterte said.

[If Romualdez runs, I'm out. If he doesn't, I'm still out, probably. Everyone wants a good rest after a grueling...inshallah that I reach the finish line.]

The President's speech also came two days after the International Criminal Court's outgoing Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she has proposed a full-blown investigation into the killings in his war on drugs.

Duterte signed in Malacanang the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act.

“These laws – which open more opportunities for our people to serve in government and enable some of our LGUs to render more efficient and inclusive service – are part of our vision of bringing government closer to the people,” Duterte said.

“I hope that when both houses of Congress resume sessions this year, priority will be given to the remaining flagship programs of my administration," he added. —BM/NB, GMA News