While he believes that all those running for president are qualified to be his successor in Malacañang, President Duterte said he is not into supporting any one in the upcoming polls.
Duterte made the statement the night before the start of the campaign period for the May 9, 2022 elections.
In his pre-recorded public address late Monday evening, February 7, a calm President Duterte revealed that almost all presidentiables have been looking to get his support.
"Almost all candidates, in one way or the other, communicated to me, nakipag-usap, nanghingi ng suporta (they talked to me, asking me to support them)," he said.
"But at this time I am saying that I am not supporting anybody," he added.
However, he is not closing the door to the possibility of giving his seal of approval to a presidential aspirant, especially if it becomes necessary.
"I may, in the end, if I see that my advice, maybe my endorsement, would help, kung kailangan (if it is needed)," Duterte said.
"Unless there is a compelling reason, really, for me to change my mind and decide to support a candidate. But until now, wala akong nakikita na danger (I'm not seeing any danger)," he added.
Despite this, the President said all those who want to be the country's next leader are qualified for the post.
"All of them, I would say at this time, they are all qualified. Kung sino man sila (Whoever they are). Those running now are qualified to be president-- I hope so," he said.
"Okay man ang tingin ko sa kanila (I think they are all okay) except for a few misgivings about the danger of falling into the hands of, or getting into a trap of the communists," he added.
Duterte said he is on edge about the ideology of some unnamed presidential candidates because they are leaning towards the communist rebels.
"We have been fighting a war that has been going on for the past 53 years and we do not want to exacerbate the situation by electing a president that would compromise the interest of the government," he said.
"It need not really be strong support, militarily, to the other side, but if you keep on eating into the foundation of our democratic constitution, there will be a time na tingin ko hindi na maganda (which, I think, does not look good). These are the things that we have to guard against," he added.
President Duterte's party PDP-Laban has no presidential candidate following the withdrawal of both Senator Ronald dela Rosa and, later on, Duterte's long-time aide Senator Christopher "Bong" Go.
Last month, the President said he would soon reveal some dirt on the presidential aspirants in the May 2022 polls.