Contradicting daughter VP Sara, Rodrigo Duterte says he's not running for senator in 2025
Former president Rodrigo Duterte said he won't run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, contradicting the statement of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, that her father and brothers are gunning for Senate seats.
"You believed Inday?" Rodrigo said of Sara in a press conference in Tacloban on June 30. "She made a fool out of you. Where can you see a father and his two sons in the Senate?”
He said her daughter is just like him, though he "mellowed down" since he's "old" already. During his term as president, the tough-talking Rodrigo is known for making bold claims and statements.
Rodrigo said he won't return to politics, as he's already "done."
"I don’t have money to spend. Yabang lang meron ako,” he added.
Last June 25, Sara said Rodrigo, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, will run for the Senate. Sebastian will also run for president in 2028.
“Yes, tatlo ang Duterte for senator. Yes, confirmed ‘yan," she said, even as she hinted about her possible return as Davao City mayor.
Sara's announcement came days after she resigned as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. She didn't give a reason why.
Her last day of office in the Marcos cabinet is on July 19.
The May 2025 national and local elections will be for senators, congressmen, and local government units, among others. If you haven’t registered yet, the voter’s registration will be until Sept. 30. See the requirements here.