Philippine President Duterte says he is retiring from politics

[superadmin]

MANILA: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said today he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him.

“Today, I announce my retirement from politics,” Duterte said, accompanying loyalist senator Christopher “Bong” Go from their ruling PDP-Laban party as he registered to run for vice president.

Duterte had been expected to run for vice president. He is not eligible to run again for the top job as the constitution sets a single-six-year term limit for the president.

Political observers had long suspected Duterte could spring a surprise, such as a presidential run by his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, next year.

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