The national government through the Malacañang Palace aired their statement regarding the reported announcement of Mayor Duterte today, which most of his supporters speculating that he will finally run for President. Malacañang on their part noted that they will respect the decision of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for President.
According to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a press briefing on Monday, the secretary reacted to reports that Mayor Duterte will run against the administration’s chosen candidate DILG Secretary Mar Roxas if the Liberal Party’s senatorial lineup will include Justice Sec. Leila De Lima.
In an official statement Malacañang stated “Nasa kanya pong pagpapasya ang nais niyang gawin,” Coloma said.
“Sa atin pong demokrasya ay mayroong proseso sa paglahok sa paligsahang pampulitika at meron din namang mga itinatakdang mga qualification[s],” he added. “Basta naman po kuwalipikado o gustong maglingkod sa bayan ay dapat nating bigyan ng pagkakataon at magalang na pagdinig ang kanilang mga pahayag,” he said.
Secretary Coloma, however, refused to comment on reports that their ally Nacionalista Party and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan will be leaving the LP coalition to support Mayor Duterte’s supposed presidential bid.
In an earlier report, Mayor Duterte announced that he will make an important announcement today, September 7, 2015. Based upon the latest Pulse Asia survey, Mayor Duterte ranked third behind Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay.