DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday, June 30, that he has no intention of running in the 2025 Senate race, despite Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that he and her brothers are aiming for Senate seats.
FORMER President Duterte, Mayor Baste Duterte, and Sen. Bong Go (FB)
“Naniwala ka diyan kay Inday? Susmaryosep naman. I-jamming ka niyan ng husto, lalo na pag balabag yung tanong (Do you actually believe Inday? My goodness. She’s just messing with you, especially if the question is absurd),” Duterte said.
In a press conference in Tacloban on June 30, the former Chief Executive clarified that he would not return to politics. He said he was done and already washed up from politics. He added that he has no money left except, perhaps, his pride.
“Saan ka nakakakita na nagsama ang tatay pati ang dalawang anak magtakbo ng senador? Anong gagawin namin sa Senate (Where can you a father and his two sons in the Senate together? What will we do in the Senate)?” Duterte said.
The former Chief Executive said his daughter is very much like him, although he has mellowed down now that he is old. During his presidency from 2016 to 2022, the elder Duterte was known for making audacious claims and announcements.
“Huwag kayong kumagat sa sinasabi ni Inday. Palagay natin tatakbo kami at nanalo kami, magharapan kami mag-ama… Naloko na (Do not fall for what Inday was saying. Let’s say we run and win, and ended up facing each other… It’s a mess),” he said.
Vice President Duterte recently reaffirmed that her father and her brothers, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Mayor Sebastian Duterte here, are determined to run in the 2025 elections after talking with people and her brother, Paolo.
Former President Duterte and Rep. Duterte have consistently ranked within the Top 12 in senatorial preferential surveys. On the other hand, the Davao City mayor has been the most outspoken of the three siblings about President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration.
The Vice President also announced that his brother Baste will run for President in 2028. When the former Chief Executive was asked to comment on the 2028 presidential elections, he said such a year is too distant to show what will happen in between until 2028.