China News Service, November 16th. According to Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao, on the 15th local time, the nomination for the Philippine presidential election in 2022 was closed. The current President Duterte, who was planning to run for vice president, decided to run for the senator at the last minute. After opening a competition with his daughter Sarah, the "father-daughter showdown" that was concerned by all walks of life finally failed.

At the same time, Sarah will still run for vice president, which also greatly increases the chances of winning the presidency of little Marcos.

Data map: Philippine President Duterte.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Guan Xiangdong

Change your mind at the last minute

Duterte gives up running for vice president

　　According to reports, at 5 p.m. local time on the 15th, a few minutes before the deadline for nomination, Duterte's lawyers went to the National Election Commission to register for the Senate on his behalf.

Prior to this, Sarah had decided to run for vice president.

　　Since Duterte also claimed to end his political career in September 2015, but announced that he would run for president two months later, the credibility of his "retirement declaration" this time has been questioned by the outside world.

Data map: Duterte (left) and his daughter Sarah.

Image source: Presidential Palace of the Philippines

Duterte is paving the way for his daughter?

Or is it to control the Senate?

　　The report quoted Bloomberg's analysis as saying that Duerte's withdrawal was to pave the way for his daughter Sarah to win the vice president, and it also increased the chances of the former president Marcos's son Marcos being elected president.

　　According to reports, Duterte is an ally of the Marcos family, and little Marcos has also stated that he hopes Sarah will become his deputy.

　　On the other hand, Belleno, a researcher at the University of Davao in the Philippines, believes that Sarah’s abandonment of the presidency will weaken the family’s political status, which may be the reason why Duterte finally decided to run for the senator.

If elected to the Senate and even control the Senate, Duterte can stay in the ruling system and maintain family influence.

　　Franco, a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, believes that Duterte’s campaign for the Senate was "fear of litigation and the International Criminal Court."

If he is a senator, Duterte can enjoy immunity.

　　The report pointed out that the anti-drug war initiated by Duterte during his tenure was accused of causing thousands of deaths, and the International Criminal Court is still investigating this.

Data map: The streets of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Guan Xiangdong

Half a year to the general election

The election situation is still variable

　　At present, there are still about half a year before the Philippine national and local elections scheduled to be held in May 2022, and there are still many variables in the election situation.

　　First of all, since Duterte’s close friend Wuton is also running for the president, the votes of the pro-Duterte camp may be scattered, which may affect boxing champion Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Moreno, Vice President Robredo, etc. Other presidential candidates are favorable.

　　Secondly, the controversy surrounding the eligibility for the election of Marcus still exists.

His opponents asked the Election Commission to declare his eligibility for election invalid because he was convicted of tax fraud in the 1990s.

　　In addition, Thompson, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of the City University of Hong Kong, pointed out that if she is elected as a vice president this time, Sarah can still "maintain close to the top of power and be in a good position when she runs for president in 2028."

　　Duterte is 76 years old and was elected President of the Philippines in 2016.

The Philippine Constitution stipulates that the President's term of office is 6 years and cannot be re-elected.

The Philippines is scheduled to hold national and local elections in May 2022. A new president, vice president, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, local chief executives and members will be elected.