After weeks of teasing that he might run for the vice presidency in the 2022 elections—perhaps even so that he might escape prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC)—PDP-Laban, President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, announced that he will in fact be their candidate for vice president next year.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte agreed to make the sacrifice and heed the clamor of the people, and accepted the endorsement of the PDP Laban Party for him to run as vice president in the 2022 national elections,” the statement read.
While an announcement of this magnitude would normally cause jaws to drop to the floor across the nation, these clearly are not normal times. While the humorous reactions online have been rather muted, Filipinos on social media were quick to register their complete lack of surprise. “Rodrigo Duterte is many things but unpredictable he is not”, read one tweet. “Who’s surprised anyway?” reads another.
Senator Risa Hontiveros issued a statement in response that began with three words that seemed to capture the prevailing online sentiment: “E di wow”.
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Breaking News: #Halalan2022
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte accepts nomination to run for VP in 2022 (PDP-Laban)
PH Breaking Reactions: pic.twitter.com/0zgpV2EFTg
— WALTER CES (@waltzjces) August 24, 2021
to all the ppl i bet with about duterte running for vp, give money
— Sammu (@SammuMerp) August 24, 2021
duterte running for vp pic.twitter.com/qVxP1gerL8
— juswa (@juswanaman) August 24, 2021
HAHAHA MAGAGALET NA NAMAN MGA DDS SA RESULTA NG POLL pic.twitter.com/IRIjNp7lVu
— Gadfly of the Society (@HandsomelyJovan) August 24, 2021
“PDP laban has announced that president duterte has accepted the nomination to run for vp”
Pls ayaw na have mercy on the Filipino people pic.twitter.com/cJPClSz6kX
— Rararaascelll (@MayolRascel) August 24, 2021
Duterte ran for VP, who’s surprised anyway?
— Malaginoo 🏴🏳️🌈 (@Malaginoo_KK) August 24, 2021
So far, as of today, it is President Rodrigo Roa Duterte versus SP Tito Sotto as next Vice President of the Philippines. Between those two, who would you pick?
— Zion Ryan Cruz (@zryanverse) August 24, 2021
