The elections are still nearly a year from now but President Rodrigo Duterte already has "options" on who to endorse as his successor for the 2022 polls, Malacanang said.
While Duterte has yet to decide on who will get his annointment, his spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday bared the options of possible presidential candidates that the 76-year-old leader had mentioned. They are:
1. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio
2. Sen. Manny Pacquiao
3. Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos
4. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno
5. Sen. Bong Go
READ: The Powers of the Philippine President, Explained
All five names have been linked to possible presidential bids in 2022, with the elder Duterte even announcing in one of his speeches that Go wants to run for president. The senator dismissed the remark as a joke.
"Mayroon lang mga options talaga siyang (Duterte) sinabi ‘no at as of now, siguro nakatutok pa rin ang Presidente po dito sa pandemya, sa bakuna," Roque said.
In the case of Duterte-Carpio, Roque said the President remains firm that he doesn't want his daughter to succeed him.
"Ang rekomendasyon nga po daw niya ay huwag siyang tumakbo. So that’s the latest I heard from the President’s own mouth," Roque said.
ALSO READ:
Sara Duterte is Her Father's 'Alpha,' How Far Can She Flex Her Power?
President Pacquiao? Philippines is Kept Guessing Ahead of Elections
What's Next for Bongbong Marcos? He's Running in 2022
On TikTok, Yorme Isko Moreno Keeps It 'Chill-Chill' as 2022 Elections Loom
Duterte Says Bong Go Wants to be President