Rodrigo Duterte not running for Senate in Eleksyon 2025, says party

Davao City-based Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party denied Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte will run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.

In a statement, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod said Duterte, who filed on Monday his certificate of candidacy for mayor, “remains committed to returning to local governance and serving the people of Davao.”

“We would like to address recent reports and clarify the political intentions of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Contrary to misinformation circulating in the media, former President Duterte has not filed his candidacy for senator in the 2025 elections. He is running for the position of Mayor of Davao City,” it said.

The local party, which was founded by Duterte, issued the statement amid reports that the former chief executive withdrew his COC for Davao mayor and will instead seek a Senate seat. 

“Although he had hoped to rest from politics, he could not turn his back on the call of his fellow Dabawenyos to once again lead them as Mayor. His dedication to Davao City remains steadfast, and he is deeply eager to return to his roots in local governance, where he can work directly with the community he has served for decades,” it added.

The party said it is well aware of the public support for the former state leader in Senate surveys, adding “his heart has always been with all Filipinos, yet he has been candid about his limitations, acknowledging that his age may no longer allow him to serve in higher positions such as the Senate.”

It also said the public should be aware of the “dangers of disinformation, which can erode public trust and breed confusion, fear, and even panic.”

“It is necessary and responsible to remind everyone, particularly those entrusted with disseminating information, of their duty to uphold these critical standards,” the party said.

“We urge the public to be vigilant and to verify information from reliable sources before believing in and sharing news. Let us work together to prioritize accurate, balanced, and factual reporting,” it added.—Llanesca Panti/AOL, GMA Integrated News