Palace confirms Duterte eyeing Senate run in Eleksyon 2022

Malacañang on Friday confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte is considering running for senator in the 2022 elections.

"He is considering it," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing when asked to confirm Senator Bong Go's statement on Duterte's possible Senate run.

"As far as I know, wala pa pong pinal na desisyon [he has yet to decide on it]," Roque added.

President Duterte did not file a certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 polls during the filing period from October 1 to 8. He, however, can enter the Senate race by substituting any member of his political party, PDP-Laban, who filed a COC for senator.

The substitution can be made until November 15.

Duterte, 76, had earlier said he'd run for vice president in 2022, but later on decided against it, saying he'd rather just retire from politics.

This also means that the President's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, can still also join the 2022 presidential race by substitution.

In the same briefing, Roque said he is still hoping for a "miracle" that Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, will seek the presidency next year.

The younger Duterte has filed her COC for reelection but could also join the presidential race via substitution.

Roque himself is eyeing a Senate run in 2022. He, too, did not file a COC during the filing period.  —KBK, GMA News