AFTER nearly two decades of consecutive elections, Mayor Edwin Santiago is set to "step away from politics" and public office after he finishes his term in 2022.

In an interview during the visit of Vice President Leni Robredo, Santiago said that he will be taking a break from politics after completing his nine-year term as the local chief executive.

"Pagkatapos ng term ko, pwede naman humabol sa ibang posisyon pero I decided na lumabas muna sa system," he said.

Santiago, meanwhile, did not clarify if it will be "retirement from politics" but said that it is the same as what he did in 1998.

In 1998, Santiago took a break from politics after a full term as councilor, but returned in 2004 to 2013 for the vice-mayoral position, and continued as mayor from 2013 until June 30, 2022.

Despite not being in public service, Santiago said he will continue to serve Fernandinos in his personal capacity.

"Sa atin naman, habang buhay tayo pwede tayong tumulong. Kahit wala ka sa pulitika, katulad ng mga mediamen, nakakatulong pa rin sa tao at sa bayan," he said.

Asked if he will be endorsing any mayoral candidate in the city in the coming 2022 polls, Santiago declined to answer.

He said that at present, he is focused on continuously implementing programs for Fernandinos and finishing all the pending projects of his administration.

"Tuluy-tuloy lang ang trabaho para iyong susunod na papalit sa atin maging madali ang transition, pwede niyang ayusin o dagdagan nalang ang mga kasalukuyang programa," he said.