RT.com
30 Nov 2021, 16:13 GMT+10
Philippines presidential candidate 'Bong' Go, who enjoyed the backing of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, has quit the race in a surprise move. Go previously exited a separate VP race after Duterte's daughter announced her bid.
"I am withdrawing from the race. Having said this, I leave my fate to God and to the Filipino people as I vow to do my best every day to serve selflessly and tirelessly," Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go told reporters in San Juan City on Tuesday.
Go noted that his family was opposed to his presidential bid and claimed that Duterte "understands and respects" his decision to bow out.
A long-time deputy to Duterte, Go received the president's endorsement earlier this month, and was seen as his favored successor to the presidency up until this moment. Go had previously declared a run for vice president, but withdrew soon after the president's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, entered the race.
Go told CNN Philippines that he would support whichever candidate Duterte decided to back, and noted that he had not yet endorsed anyone else for the presidency.
The lawmaker reportedly hinted at some reservations about his candidacy earlier this month, with presidential adviser Jacinto Paras telling Rappler that Go was "still contemplating [his bid] because he is overwhelmed with so much work as a senator," but added at the time that his doubts were assuaged after receiving support from a number of visiting governors.
The latest political shakeup comes after Duterte declared that he would run for a senator's seat in the upcoming May 9 race, as he was not eligible for reelection as president under Philippines law. With Go out of the running, top contenders for president include Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. - the running mate of Duterte's daughter and the son of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos - sitting VP Leni Robredo, as well as boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who retired from the sport in September to run for the presidency.
While presidents and vice presidents typically run on a combined ticket under the same party in Philippines elections, the positions are voted for separately, meaning candidates from different parties could end up taking each spot.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Philippine Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Philippine Times.
More InformationZAGREB, Croatia: Authorities have said that a weekend bus crash near Varazdin in Croatia killed 12 passengers and injured 32.The ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. will participate in a joint military exercise in mid-October with India, less than 62 miles from ...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea has launched a domestically manufactured lunar orbiter that took off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space ...
MOSCOW, Russia: A leading Russian scientist in the field of hypersonic flight, Dr. Alexander Shiplyuk, has been arrested on suspicion ...
LOS ANGELES, California: During a meeting that was disrupted by protesters this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Justice Department announced this week that former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vazquez has been arrested in ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Providing relief to drivers in the United States, the average retail gasoline price in the US fell below ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Walmart could sign a deal with Disney, Paramount, or Comcast, with the aim of breaking ...
MILAN, Italy: Milano Today has reported that seven years after launching in the country, American pizza giant Domino's has now ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. investors again plowed into stocks on Friday, many convinced inflation has peaked."Markets certainly got ...
TOKYO, Japan: Toyota has advised the owners of its BZ4X electric SUV to stop driving their vehicles and return them ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S.Department of Justice is reportedly preparing to sue Google as soon as next month, claiming that the ...