Controversial Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte announces plan to retire from politics
CBC
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday announced he was retiring from politics and dropping plans to run for vice-president in next year's elections when his term ends, avoiding a legal battle with opponents who question such a move.
Speaking before reporters, Duterte said many Filipinos have expressed their opposition to his vice-presidential bid in surveys and public forums.
"The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that I'm not qualified, and it would be a violation of the constitution," Duterte said. "In obedience to the will of the people ... I will follow what you wish and today I announce my retirement from politics."
The 76-year-old leader, known for his deadly anti-drugs crackdown, brash rhetoric and unorthodox political style, earlier accepted the ruling party's nomination for him to seek the vice presidency in the May 9 elections. The decision outraged many of his opponents, who have described him as a human rights calamity in an Asian bastion of democracy.
Duterte announced his surprise withdrawal from the election after accompanying his former longtime aide, Sen. Bong Go, to register his own vice presidential candidacy with the ruling party at a Commission on Elections centre.
Philippine presidents are limited by the constitution to a single six-year term and opponents had said they would question the legality of Duterte's announced vice presidential run before the Supreme Court if he pursues his bid.
While two past presidents have run for lower elected positions after their terms ended in recent history, Duterte was the first to consider running for the vice presidency. If he pursued the candidacy and won, that could elevate him back to the presidency if the elected leader dies or is incapacitated for any reason.
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