PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte withdrew on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, his candidacy for senator in the 2022 elections.

“The President has filed his withdrawal from the senatorial elections," Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez said.

This came hours after Duterte’s long-time aid, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, withdrew his certificate of candidacy for president.

Duterte initially announced he was running for vice president.

During the filing of candidacy, he announced he is retiring from politics.

Go instead filed his COC for vice president.

Duterte later filed his certificate of candidacy for senator, substituting for Liezl Visorde of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, while Go substituted for the presidential race. (SunStar Philippines)