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Surprise entries create chaos in race to succeed Philippines’ Duterte -Breaking

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© Reuters. Sara Duterte, Davao City Mayor, presents to media her certificate as vice-president for the 2022 National Election, at the Commission on Elections in Manila (Philippines), November 13th 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

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By Karen Lema

MANILA (Reuters – Philippines’ presidential race became more crowded after Rodrigo Duterte, Rodrigo’s long-time aide entered. It is another twist in an election which will likely be dominated rather than reforms by strong family dynasties.

A loyal Duterte supporter, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has registered to run to president, having withwithdrawn his application for the No. He is competing against several other candidates, including Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Filipino strongman.

Go confessed that he wasn’t interested in running against Duterte’s child, Sara Duterte – Carpio. Sara Duterte – Carpio made a surprising move by declaring her candidacy earlier Saturday for the vice presidency. It ended months-long speculation regarding her 2022 election plans.

Political analysts believe that there may be additional surprises or even shifts in alliances as the deadline for switching candidates to the May 2022 elections is just two days away. This election has become unpredictable.

Martin Andanar, Duterte’s communications secretary confirmed that media reports claimed the 76 year old leader would throw his hat into the vice presidential ring Monday to run against his daughter.

Andanar stated to Reuters that “that is his plan. We don’t know if it is going to change.”

Duterte can’t seek another six-year term. However, nothing prevents him from trying for another job.

The president of the Philippines and vice-president, which is largely ceremonial in nature, are each elected separately.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the sole son of the dictator, who ruled over the Philippines almost for two decades before his 1986 overthrow in the Philippines, adopted Duterte Carpio as his running mate. She is the oldest daughter of the capricious and autocratic Duterte.

Duterte Carpio (43), who is a member of a party controlled by ex-president Gloria Arroyo and another major force in Philippine politics will soon release a statement, said her spokesperson, Mayor Christina Garcia Garcia-Frasco.

Temario Rivera, a political analyst said that the case has shown how rivalries between political families are “really dramatized.” They seem to be the sole ones making decisions about the nation’s future. They are making fools of the Filipino people, which is frustrating.

This 110-million strong Southeast Asian nation will be holding elections for May 2022. The candidates are eligible to run for president, governors, mayors, and other local positions. It will be a difficult task for the new government to revive an economic system that was devastated by pandemics.

Duterte Carpio, who was second in the poll, was the preferred candidate for Duterte’s vice-presidential bid.

Edmund Tayao, a political analyst, said that a potential team-up of Marcos (and Duterte–Caprio), two strong families in the Philippines could prove to be “game changing.”

They are both very popular. Tayao stated that it is very easy to believe they are the best team.

But the prospect of a Marcos-Duterte-Carpio team taking the reins of government next year has stirred anger in the human rights community.

Karapatan, a rights group said that “What’s next are grave threats to democracy in the country”

Marcos and Go will be up against several other presidential hopefuls, such as former boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and vice president Leni Robertredo. They also face Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso and senator Panfilo Lacson.

Ronald dela Rosa, a former chief of police in Duterte and now senator, resigned from the presidential race to make way for Go.

Analysts believe that a loyalist successor could Duterte’s legal protection from any potential lawsuits at home and by the International Criminal Court. This court is currently investigating thousands of deaths since 2016, during Duterte’s war on drugs.

His government denies wrongdoing. It has also stated that it won’t cooperate with the ICC.

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