President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., upon arrival for the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON 2013) at the 3rd Floor, SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City on Thursday (March 07, 2013). The MICE Conference is a prestigious gathering of key players in the travel and tourism industry. The conference will provide the Host an opportunity to showcase its destinations to approximately 400 stakeholders in the tourism industry comprised of: travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, resort owners, professional congress/ exhibition/event organizers, association/corporate executives, destination management companies, airline representatives, local government officials, academe, students and the media. (MNS photo)).
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte maintained that he is not interested in running for a national position in 2016.
Duterte issued the statement after Vice President Jejomar Binay said he is eyeing the Davao city mayor as a possible runningmate in next year’s elections.
Binay said Duterte is highly qualified for the position, noting his successful record as mayor of Davao City for over 20 years.
Duterte, however, said he already plans to retire after his term as mayor ends.
“I am not running for any national position. As I have said before, my daughter would be willing to run again. I will retire from this term from public life… I am old,” he said.
Supporters of Duterte on Saturday morning held a fun run along Roxas Boulevard to encourage the mayor to run in the 2016 polls.
Organizers of the event dubbed “Run Duterte Run 2016″ said the Philippines needs a leader who knows how to discipline his people and has an “iron hand.”
Duterte did not attend the event. (MNS)