The opposition coalition 1Sambayan said it was a “joke of the worst kind” to see President Duterte run as vice president in the May 2022 polls.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, 1Sambayan convenor and lawyer Howard Calleja said it will be “laughable” to see the Chief Executive seek a lower post next year.
"The alleged VP run of the President not only makes a mockery of the constitution but a joke of the worst kind. It is laughable and the height of impertinence to the Filipino people,” he added.
The possible candidacy of Duterte as vice president in 2022 was a “macrocosm of the Davao formula," Calleja said, referring to the Dutertes' hold of power in their hometown of Davao where the President and his family have held the mayor’s office since 1988.
Running as vice president will be his way to stay in power after his presidency ends next year, the 1Sambayan convenor said.
"I am sure the Filipino people would see this as a macrocosm of the Davao formula and reject it as nothing more than one’s self-interest to maintain Duterte’s authoritarian brand of failed leadership and traitorous allegiance to China," Calleja added.
Critics are denouncing the President’s defeatist stance against China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which is partly claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam, and in whole by China.
Instead of capitalizing on the arbitral award granted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague that invalidates the basis of China’s claims—the nine-dash line—Duterte forged friendlier relations with Beijing.
On Tuesday, June 1, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Chief Executive will think about running for vice president. His party, PDP-Laban, nominated him to run as vice president in 2022, allowing him also to choose the party’s standard-bearer.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/31/dutertes-vp-run-depends-on-message-from-god-roque-says/
The Palace official said Duterte hasn’t made a decision yet because he felt he has already served the country, but he also wants what’s best for the people.