Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte said he is “overwhelmed” by his inclusion in the top 12 choices for senator in the 2025 midterm elections in recent surveys but said he will is not interested in seeking a national position.
A series of surveys conducted by various pollsters placed the young Duterte in the so-called Magic 12 list of choices for senator.
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my fellow Filipinos for continuing to place their trust and confidence in me. I started in politics serving Dabawenyos and I would like to retire doing the same,” Duterte said.
“Besides the fact that I do not have the capacity to finance a nationwide campaign, what little I have saved is allotted for my retirement and for the education of my children,” he added.
The lawmaker said that even during the term of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, some people have already been egging him to run for senator.
“And I can be honest that it crossed my mind to run when a few people are encouraging me to vie for a Senate seat, especially during the presidency of my father, Rodrigo Duterte. But I don’t think it would be that easy,” he said.
He said a Duterte president and a Duterte vice president are enough contributions of their family to the country.
