Duterte: Next President will come from Bicol region

BICOL: President Rodrigo Duterte has floated the possibility that his successor may come from the Bicol region.

During his visit to Legazpi City, Albay on Thursday night, Duterte mentioned former senator and now Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero or Albay Rep. Joey Salceda as potential presidential contenders in the 2022 elections.

“The next president will come from Bicol. You have a choice of Salceda and Chiz Escudero,” Duterte said at the situation briefing on the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy (international name: Kammuri) in Bicol.

Both Escudero and Salceda were among the officials present at the post-typhoon damage assessment meeting.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Duterte made the statement barely a week after he discouraged Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, who also hails from Bicol, from running for president over her alleged incompetence.

He also warned that the country would face a disaster if Robredo would become the country’s leader.

“Leni look, I’m not pro-Alan [Cayetano]. Don’t run for President, you don’t know anything, ‘ Duterte said during a recent interview with CNN Philippines.

“Look for someone else. It will be a disaster if you put her there),” he added.

Duterte, who only has less than three years in office, also declared that he would neither run for a second term nor was he planning to endorse his successor in the next presidential elections.

“I will no longer run. I don’t want to get tied down,” the President said when asked if he was grooming a successor.

“This country will continue without me starting it or stopping it. Let the other guy find out for himself what he should be doing,” he added.

Duterte said he even discouraged his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, from running for president since it was a thankless job.

“I told her that, ‘I feel sorry for you.’ What will you do, these fools who think they are bright, will have a lot to say,” Duterte said.

“They (critics) come up with all sorts of scenarios. For mer, I don’t want to, let it be someone else because they will abuse my daughter,” he added.

The Davao City mayor, who established herself as a force in national politics, has often been touted by her supporters as the President’s possible replacement when he steps down in 2022.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

But the President has repeatedly said he didn’t want his daughter to go through what he had gone through as president.

The President’s eldest daughter had told The Manila Times that she was “not thinking” about seeking the presidency but later said she would decide by January 2021.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00