Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte appears set to compete against his daughter in a bid for the country’s vice presidency next year the latest bizarre twist in a national election expected to be dominated by powerhouse family dynasties instead of policy reforms.
Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, registered her candidacy in next year’s election on Saturday and has been tapped as running mate for Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the late dictator’s son who is vying to become president.
The alliance has alarmed human rights activists. The Dutertes and Marcoses are among the top political dynasties in a country plagued by patronage and corruption.
The race got even more chaotic Saturday, when the elder Duterte’s long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong†Go, shifted his vice-presidential candidacy to a presidential run.
Shortly after, Duterte’s communications secretary told the local press that the 76-year-old leader, who last month vowed to retire from politics, would officially announce plans Monday to run for vice president against his daughter.
As president, Duterte is constitutionally limited to a single six-year term, but can seek the lower post.
More than 6,000 mostly petty drug suspects have been killed and another 289,000 arrested since Duterte launched a massive campaign against illegal drugs after becoming president in 2016, which has alarmed Western governments and human rights groups. The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation of the killings but Duterte has vowed never to cooperate with the inquiry and allow ICC investigators to enter the country.
Marcos and Go are up against other presidential aspirants, including ex-boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, vice president Leni Robredo, Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso, and senator Panfilo Lacson.
https://nypost.com/2021/11/13/philippine-rodrigo-duterte-will-run-against-daughter-in-election/
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Category: Philippines
