While there is no legal impediment for President Duterte to run for Vice President, a poll lawyer believes he should not.
Romulo Macalintal said it would be politically wrong for the PDP-Laban to have Duterte as its vice-presidential bet in the 2022 elections as it could be construed as a sign of its political weakness.
"It practically runs counter to PDP-Laban’s vaunted position that it is the 'ruling party' since it would appear that it has not even developed anyone, other than Duterte, to run for VP in 2022," he said in a statement on Thursday, July 8.
The party’s reason for urging Duterte to run for VP is for the "government to be able to expeditiously and effectively deliver our people, our communities, our economy, back to good health," Macalintal said, could backfire against PDP-Laban because "it would seem that Duterte, as president, has not 'expeditiously and effectively' delivered our people to 'good health,'"
He said to run for Vice-President would also be inconsistent with Duterte’s repeated claims that he is already tired of being president.
Macalintal said the President should also take a cue from one of the State Policies enshrined in the charter that the state “shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
"If he runs for VP then he denies other qualified Filipinos of 'equal access' to render public service," he said.
"The foregoing show that yes, Duterte can run for Vice-President. But he should not. As one famous quote goes, having 'the right to do something does not mean that doing it is right," added Macalintal.