Former President Duterte running for senator? Not true – Panelo

FILE PHOTO: “Fake news,” lawyer Salvador Panelo says of reports claiming former President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew his candidacy for Davao City mayor to run for senator in the 2025 polls. Photo from Faith Argosino. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Reports claiming former President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew his candidacy for Davao City mayor to run for senator in the 2025 polls are not true, according to lawyer Salvador Panelo.

“Fake news,” Panelo, a former spokesperson of the ex-president, told INQUIRER.net when sought to validate talks that the ex-president will formalize his senatorial bid on Tuesday, the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May elections next year.

A close aide of the former president who requested anonymity also said the former chief executive would not run for senator.

READ: Duterte seeks mayoral post; eyes on rival clan scion

While the close aide confirmed that Duterte is currently in Metro Manila, the person clarified that he was in the area “for some prior commitments.”

“Former President Rodrigo Duterte did not withdraw his COC for Davao City mayor. He is not running for senator,” Duterte’s close aide told INQUIRER.net.

Duterte and his sons Sebastian and Paolo filed their COCs – for mayor, vice mayor, and 1st District representative, respectively – in Davao City on Monday.

Currently, the former president’s clear opponent in the Davao City mayoral race is former Civil Service Commission chair Karlo Nograles, who filed his COC earlier Tuesday.