MANILA – Senatorial candidate and former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez has confirmed that former President Rodrigo Duterte will not be filing a certificate of candidacy (COC) for a Senate seat, despite earlier speculations.
Rodriguez addressed the media regarding Duterte’s political plans, hours after reports emerged that the former president had withdrawn his COC for Davao City Mayor.
Duterte submitted his COC for the local post on Monday, running alongside his son, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
“He already filed as [Davao City] Mayor. We were together, and we parted ways around 2:30 [in the afternoon]. I’m not sure what time it is now, but he’s already settled as Mayor,” Rodriguez told reporters.
Rodriguez also shared that he had lunch with Duterte before heading to the COC filing venue.
“I’m not sure if he can still make it here. But earlier today, we were together… we had lunch in Manila. He had a long line of people wanting to speak with him and seek endorsements for PDP [Laban],” he added.
When asked about the truth behind circulating reports, Rodriguez gave a concise response.
“Well, you know President Duterte. He keeps his cards very close to his chest. Only he knows what’s up his sleeve,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez, who became a close ally of Duterte after stepping down from the Marcos Jr. administration, mentioned that he frequently communicates with the former president.
“We talk regularly, and of course, he’s a former president, someone whose love for the country and the Filipino people is undeniable. Naturally, when we meet, we discuss current national events, and politics often comes up,” Rodriguez shared.
By 5 PM, Duterte had not appeared at the Manila Hotel Tent City to file his COC for Senator.