Palace offers no guarantees to those who doubt Duterte’s retirement

Malacañang on Monday offered no assurance to those who doubt President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement that he will retire from politics when his term ends on June 30, 2022.

Roque made the response to a question whether the President meant his words this time, given that he also said in 2015 that he will retire from politics and will not run for president, both of which did not happen.

"Wala na po akong assurance na maibibigay doon sa talagang gustong magduda (I cannot give assurance anymore to those who want to doubt)," Roque said.

"Kung talagang may nagdududa antayin natin ang October 8. Kung mayroon pang nagduda antayin natin ang November 15 dahil hanggang dun ang substitution (If they are really in doubt, then they should wait until October 8 [which is the deadline for filing of candidacy]. If they are still in doubt, then they should wait until November 15 which is the deadline for substitution)," he added.

Back in 2015, then-Davao City Mayor Duterte substituted Martin Diño as standard bearer of PDP-Laban for the 2016 presidential race.

In February 2016, the Commission on Elections First Division ruled that Duterte validly substituted Diño as PDP-Laban standard bearer since Diño "erroneous(ly) wrote" mayor of Pasay City in his declaration of candidacy but filed certificate of candidacy for president. 

Over the weekend, Duterte announced he was retiring from politics as he accompanied his long-time ally, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president of the ruling PDP-Laban.

Duterte was originally endorsed by his party to run as vice president, and Go, as its presidential bet. 

"I would like to address myself to the entire nation. The universal sentiment of the Filipino as reflected on surveys, on many forums and caucuses, and meetings to discuss what I should do in my life, the overwhelming sentiment of the Filipinos is I’m not qualified, it would be a violation of the Constitution, to circumvent the law, the spirit of the Constitution," Duterte said.

"So, in obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me to the presidency many years ago, I now say sa mga kababayan ko, sundin ko ang gusto ninyo and today I announce my retirement from politics," he added. — RSJ, GMA News