A veteran political analyst in the Philippines, Professor Mon Casiple revealed during an interview with Inquirer that he was not convinced that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would not run for President in the 2016 national elections despite the declaration of the popular mayor himself.
Prof. Casiple stated that Mayor Duterte’s body language was inconsistent with his statements. The political analyst was quoted as saying “Si Mayor Duterte bagamat nagsabi na hindi tatakbo, hindi mo matatanggal ‘yung possibility eh. Until the filing of candidacy hindi mo malalaman ‘yan,” Casiple said.
“Matagal na kasi niyang sinasabi na hindi siya tatakbo. Ang ginagawa niya, contradictory sa sinasabi niya,” he added.
The tough talking Mayor of Davao City announced “categorically” that he has no intentions of seeking the country’s top national post in the highly anticipated presidential polls in 2016, saying that he will “retire from public life for good.”
The political analyst also revealed to the media that supposed inconsistencies of Mayor Duterte will not affect him negatively but it was part of the mayor’s strategy, who is continuously touring the the different parts of the country to promote his vision of a Federal Philippines.
Prof. Casiple also added that Mayor Duterte’s withdrawal of plans to run for President is part of his tactic because if he comes up with a position to run for President, he will surely be a target of everyone. Mayor Duterte ranked consistently in various surveys in the country, just behind Sen. Grace Poe and VP Binay.