Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, vice mayor of Davao City and the president's son, announced on Tuesday that he will not run for reelection.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has withdrawn his reelection bid for 2022 Elections.
The son of President Rodrigo Duterte told local media in Davao that he was prompted to withdraw his certificate of candidacy for vice mayor by his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Despite her statements that she will not run for president in the 2022 elections, all eyes are on Duterte-Carpio to see if she will eventually withdraw her reelection bid and instead substitute for someone who has filed their candidacy for president.
It was not immediately clear why he chose to withdraw from the race. He stated in a statement that he will not provide any additional information.
“I am deeply grateful to the Dabawenyos for the support they have given me all this time. I have no other details to share at the moment,”
Baste said.
He nominated Atty. Melchor Quintain Jr., who was appointed as the new chief presidential legal counsel only a few weeks ago.
Sebastian’s older brother Paolo is running for congress, while his sister Sara Duterte is running for re-election as mayor of Davao City. Meanwhile, despite announcing his intention to retire from politics, their father, President Rodrigo Duterte, is reportedly considering a Senate run.
Duterte-Carpio, the pre-election poll favorite, has until November 15 to make such a move.
Several presidential candidates, including Sen. Bato dela Rosa of the president’s PDP-Laban faction, have stated that they are willing to step aside for Duterte’s daughter if she runs for office.