Move FM Global News

MANILA, Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, will run against his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, for the vice presidency in next year’s election.

The move is the latest twist in a national election expected to be dominated by established family dynasties, instead of policy debates.

On Saturday, Duterte-Carpio registered her candidacy and will run alongside Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, who will run for president, in an alliance that has alarmed human rights activists.

Both the Duterte and Marco families are two of the dominant political dynasties in the Philippines, which has been historically affected by patronage and corruption.

On Saturday, the situation became even more confusing when President Duterte’s long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, announced he would torun for president, instead of vice president.

Also, Duterte’s communications secretary told the local press on Monday that he would run for vice president, despite previously announcing his retirement from politics.

Duterte, 76, is constitutionally limited to one six-year presidential term, but can run for the position of vice president.

Since Duterte became president in 2016, more than 6,000 low-level drug suspects have been killed and 289,000 have been arrested during his “War against Drugs,” which has been condemned by Western governments and human rights groups.

Marcos and Go are running against former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, vice president Leni Robredo, Manila mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso, and senator Panfilo Lacson.