Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte considers vice presidency

Vaccine or jail, warns the president of the Philippines 1:01

Manila, Philippines (Reuters) -

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday gave the strongest hint that he could run for the vice presidency in next year's election, saying he was now "seriously considering" running. In a televised meeting with allies of his political party, the 76-year-old Duterte, who cannot run for a second term as president, said he was "shaken by the flood of sentiments" urging him to run for vice president.

"At the proposal that I run for vice president, I am slightly convinced by the idea. I mean, I am seriously thinking about running for vice president," he said.

Last month he said the vice presidency was a "good idea" because he has unfinished business, such as the fight against illicit drugs.

Critics of the fickle ex-mayor have questioned the legality of his becoming vice president, because he could access the top job again if the president dies, resigns or is removed from office.

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Opinion polls show that Duterte remains very popular, despite the huge death toll from his notorious anti-drug campaign and criticism of his government's response to the pandemic.

His tenure in office could also protect him from legal action, in a country where former leaders and politicians are often persecuted, and sometimes imprisoned.

However, Duterte admitted that he would be a "useless" vice president if the winning president, who is chosen in other elections, was not a "friend."

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Duterte's daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, has led opinion polls on potential presidential hopefuls.

Both Dutertes have ruled it out.

Duterte refrained from endorsing his former adviser and acting senator, Christopher "Bong" Go, as his preferred successor, but said Go was "ready" for the top job.

Go said he wasn't interested.

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Absent during the party's meeting was boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao, who has been targeted by Duterte for his public comments on foreign policy and corruption, amid speculation the eight-division champion could run for president. .

Philippines Rodrigo Duterte