China News Service, November 16. According to Singapore "Lianhe Zaobao" reported that on the 15th local time, the nominations for the 2022 Philippine presidential election closed, and the current president Duterte, who was originally planning to run for vice president, decided at the last minute. He ran for the Senate and avoided the competition with his daughter Sarah. The "father-daughter showdown" that attracted attention from all walks of life ultimately failed. At the same time, Sarah will still run for vice president, which also greatly increases the chance of Marcos becoming president.
Duterte changed his mind at the last moment
Duterte gave up running for vice president
According to reports, at 5 pm local time on the 15th, a few minutes before the deadline for nominations, Duterte’s lawyer went to the National Election Commission to register his candidacy on his behalf. MP. Previously, Sarah had decided to run for vice president.
Since Duterte also claimed to end his political career in September 2015, but announced his candidacy for president two months later, the credibility of his "retirement declaration" this time has been questioned by the outside world.
Data map: Duterte (left) and daughter Sarah. Image source: Philippine Presidential Palace
Is Duterte paving the way for his daughter?
or to control senate ? The
report quoted Bloomberg analysis as saying that Duterte's withdrawal is to pave the way for his daughter Sarah to win the vice president, and it also increases the chance of former President Marcos's son Marcos Jr. being elected president.
According to reports, Duterte is an ally of the Marcos family, and Marcos Jr. has also stated that he hopes Sarah will become his deputy.
On the other hand, Beleno, a researcher at the University of Philippines Ateno de Davao, believes that Sarah giving up running for president will lead to the weakening of the family's political status, which may be the reason why Duterte finally decided to run for the Senate. If he is elected to the Senate or even controls the Senate, Duterte can stay in the ruling system and maintain his family's influence.
Franco, a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, believes that Duterte ran for the Senate because he was "fearful of lawsuits and the International Criminal Court ." If he becomes a senator, Duterte will enjoy immunity . The
report pointed out that the anti-drug war launched by Duterte during his term was accused of causing thousands of deaths, and the International Criminal Court is still investigating this.
There is still about half a year left before the general election.
There are still many variables in the election situation.
At present, there are still about half a year before the Philippine national and local elections scheduled to be held in May 2022, and there are still many variables in the election situation.
First of all, since Duterte's close confidant Wu Dun is also running for president, the votes of the pro-Duterte camp may be dispersed, which may affect the boxing champion Pacquiao , Manila Mayor Moreno, Vice President President Robredo and other presidential candidates are favorable.
Secondly, the controversy surrounding Marcos Jr.'s candidacy still exists. His opponents asked the electoral commission to invalidate his candidacy because of his conviction for tax fraud in the 1990s.
In addition, Thompson, director of the Southeast Asian Studies Center of City University of Hong Kong, pointed out that if she is successfully elected as vice president this time, Sarah can still "remain close to the top of power and be in a favorable position when running for president in 2028."
Duterte, 76, was elected president of the Philippines in 2016. The Philippine Constitution stipulates that the presidential term is 6 years and cannot be re-elected. The Philippines is scheduled to hold national and local elections in May 2022, which will elect a new president, vice president, members of the House and Senate, local chief executives and members of Congress.
Source: China News Network
