President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he had yet to throw his support behind any candidate running for president in the 2022 elections.
In a “Talk to the People” address, the president claimed that “almost all of the candidates, in one way or another,” asked for his support.
“I may [support someone] in the end. But at this time, I am saying that I am not supporting anybody,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he needed a “compelling reason” to change his mind and decide to support a candidate.
Ten candidates are vying for president in the 2022 elections.
These are (in alphabetical order):
- Abella, Ernie
- De Guzman, Leody
- Domagoso, Isko Moreno
- Gonzales, Norberto
- Lacson, Ping
- Mangondato, Faisal
- Marcos, Bongbong
- Montemayor, Jose Jr.
- Pacquiao, Manny Pacman
- Robredo, Leni
Of the 10 presidential candidates for 2022, Duterte has feuded with or publicly criticized five: Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, the late dictator’s son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Duterte earlier said he would educate Filipinos on the “wrongs” of the presidential candidates in the 2022 elections to help them choose the best president.
More than 65.5 million voters are expected to participate in the 2022 national and local elections, the Comelec earlier said.
The elections will be held on May 9, 2022. John Ezekiel J. Hirro