How Rodrigo Duterte Can Stay No
1 by Becoming No. 2
MANILA — Rodrigo Duterte has dominated politics in the Philippines since becoming president five years ago, with an antidrug crusade blamed for thousands of extrajudicial killings and a pressure campaign against opposition leaders and the news media.
Now, with mere months left in his six-year term, his opponents fear he is laying the groundwork to stay in power for years to come.
Mr. Duterte announced this week that he intended to run for the vice presidency in the elections next May. Critics say it is a blatant attempt by Mr. Duterte, 76, to save himself from his “political sins” as he confronts possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court. An I.C.C. report last year said there was sufficient evidence to show that crimes against humanity had been committed in Mr. Duterte’s bloody drug war, which has left thousands dead.
But Mr. Duterte says he still has unfinished business, chiefly the drug war and his fight against the country’s Communist insurgency.
“I may not have the power to give direction or guidance, but I can always express my views in public,” he said of his potential new role as vice president.
He has long flirted with the idea of staying on in government, though he repeatedly said during the past year that he was tired of the presidency, which he claimed had taken a toll on his health.
Then, late Wednesday, during a nationally televised cabinet meeting, Mr. Duterte said unequivocally: “All right, I will run for the vice presidency. Then I will continue the crusade.”
The political and defense analyst Chester Cabalza, founder of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, a research institute, said Mr. Duterte’s decision was clearly meant to save him from prosecution.
#manila #leaders #city #campaign #stay #duterte #president #media #newsmedia #philippines #politics #leader #worldlynewsonline
MANILA — Rodrigo Duterte has dominated politics in the Philippines since becoming president five years ago, with an antidrug crusade blamed for thousands of extrajudicial killings and a pressure campaign against opposition leaders and the news media.
Now, with mere months left in his six-year term, his opponents fear he is laying the groundwork to stay in power for years to come.
Mr. Duterte announced this week that he intended to run for the vice presidency in the elections next May. Critics say it is a blatant attempt by Mr. Duterte, 76, to save himself from his “political sins” as he confronts possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court. An I.C.C. report last year said there was sufficient evidence to show that crimes against humanity had been committed in Mr. Duterte’s bloody drug war, which has left thousands dead.
But Mr. Duterte says he still has unfinished business, chiefly the drug war and his fight against the country’s Communist insurgency.
“I may not have the power to give direction or guidance, but I can always express my views in public,” he said of his potential new role as vice president.
He has long flirted with the idea of staying on in government, though he repeatedly said during the past year that he was tired of the presidency, which he claimed had taken a toll on his health.
Then, late Wednesday, during a nationally televised cabinet meeting, Mr. Duterte said unequivocally: “All right, I will run for the vice presidency. Then I will continue the crusade.”
The political and defense analyst Chester Cabalza, founder of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, a research institute, said Mr. Duterte’s decision was clearly meant to save him from prosecution.
#manila #leaders #city #campaign #stay #duterte #president #media #newsmedia #philippines #politics #leader #worldlynewsonline
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