Philippine President Duterte to retire from politics

He is facing a growing number of domestic challenges

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds a Galil sniper rifle next to outgoing National Police Chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa during a handover ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Manila. Reuters

Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference at the Asean Summit in Manila, the Philippines. Duterte lashed out at Justin Trudeau after the Canadian prime minister raised concerns about human rights abuses under the country’s drug war. Bloomberg

Rodrigo Duterte chats with partner Honeylet Avancena while waiting for leaders to arrive to attend the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Manila on April 29, 2017. AFP

Rodrigo Duterte saluting a soldier wounded by an explosion, during a visit to a military camp in Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines. Twin bombings hit a Sunday mass at Jolo Cathedral in the Mindanao region of the southern Philippines on January 27. EPA

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pose for a group photo on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN summit in Singapore, 2018. AFP

Rodrigo Duterte salutes at Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista and Major General Macairog Sabeniano Alberto, during a change of command ceremonies of the Philippine Army at a military camp in Taguig, south of Manila, Philippines. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte gestures next to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after Philippines' Manny Pacquiao beat Argentina's Lucas Matthysse during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. AFP

King Abdullah II of Jordan talks with Rodrigo Duterte as they review the guard of honor at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, September 6, 2018. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte inspects a Catholic church damaged by explosion in Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines, 28 January 2019. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono during a meeting in Davao city, Philippines. EPA

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced he will retire from politics out of respect for "the wishes of the public".

Mr Duterte's announcement on Saturday will lead to the end of one of the more controversial periods of modern politics in the Asian nation of 100 million people.

Mr Duterte, 76, who came to power in 2016, was known for his outspoken and sometimes contradictory views on the foreign alliances of his country.

Early in his presidency, he showed strong support for Donald Trump, US president at the time, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but later strongly criticised the policies of both countries.

A harsh crackdown on the drugs trade, which became one of his signature policies, drew widespread condemnation after police were accused of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.

Mr Duterte was due to run for vice president in 2022, a move critics said was an attempt to shield him from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

The ICC has investigated allegations of human rights abuses committed during Mr Duterte's crackdown on drug dealing.

Mr Duterte, who polls show remains almost as popular as when he was swept to victory in 2016 on a promise to rid the country of drugs, is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term as leader.

Duterte faces constitutional crisis

"The overwhelming ... sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified and it would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution" to run for the vice presidency, Mr Duterte said.

"Today I announce my retirement from politics."

He has also faced a constitutional crisis in recent weeks following an investigation into government corruption in the health sector.

On Thursday, he attempted to block Cabinet members from attending a Senate hearing on the allegations.

After Mr Duterte's surprise announcement, Bong Go, a Filipino senator, will now run for vice president in 2022. Mr Duterte did not specify a date for when he would step away from politics.

Mr Go was previously announced as a presidential candidate in national elections, scheduled for May.

“Given that President Duterte decided to withdraw his acceptance of nomination, I am here to take on the challenge,” Mr Go said.

He pledged to continue Mr Duterte’s policies, including the crackdown on drug dealing.

New challenger's for May election

Mr Duterte’s announcement that he will leave the political scene – 35 years after entering politics working for the Corazon Aquino mayor's office – comes as the 2022 election campaign officially begins.

Candidates have registered for 18,000 local and national government positions, but the playing field will be seen by many as more equal after the Duterte era.

As a presidential candidate Mr Duterte was viewed by some analysts as an outlier, hailing from the impoverished island of Mindanao, but quickly shot to national prominence following a populist line on crime and corruption.

Former House of Representatives member Mong Palatino said Mr Duterte's wilfully controversial approach to electioneering has given rise to a “Duterte effect,” that could see many imitators step forward.

Aside from Mr Go, Ferdinand "Bongbong," Marcos, the only son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is prime candidate to continue Mr Duterte’s policy programme when the vote is held in May.

Sara Duterte, Mr Duterte’s daughter and the Mayor of Davao City, has said she will not run but analysts believe she may follow her father’s example by entering the race at the last minute.

Their challengers include politician and actor Francisco Domagoso, known by his acting name Isko Moreno, a former supporter turned rival of Mr Duterte, who is currently mayor of Manila.

Former boxer Manny Pacquiao, who like Mr Duterte has promised to take a tough stand against corruption, is also in the running having retired from sport on Thursday.