Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said he plans to retire from public service when he finishes his term in the Senate after the May 2022 elections.
Drilon, who will finish his second consecutive six-year term in the Upper Chamber, said he has no plans to run for a higher post in next year’s elections should Vice President Leni Robredo decline to be the opposition’s standard bearer.
“I have not planned to run for President. I do not have the resources to run for President,” Drilon said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay online forum.
Drilon said he will retire from politics especially if he has no role in the coming administration.
“I have been in government for probably 33 years. Let others who believe they can serve have the chance. Give others a chance (to serve),” the senator said.
Drilon started his public service career in 1986 as labor secretary of then President Corazon Aquino. He was retained in the Cabinet by President Fidel V. Ramos but as justice secretary.
He eventually ran for senator in the 90s. He was named Senate President from 2000 to 2006 and in 2013 to 2016.
He is currently vice chairmain of the Liberal Party, the former ruling political party and an active member of the opposition.