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MANILA, Philippines – Even after his announcement that he would not gun for the presidency in 2016, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was invited by the country’s second-largest political party to a meeting with its members to discuss the coming 2016 elections.
Quezon Representative Mark Enverga said that Duterte, who was in Manila on Tuesday, September 8, was invited by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) to a meeting, as part of the party’s process in choosing a candidate to endorse for the 2016 presidential elections.
“Bagamat siguro tapos na natin ang mga presidential candidates, siguro ay hihintayin namin si Mayor Duterte. Until then siguro, diyan palang tayo makakapag-decide kung sino ang maari na samahan namin sa darating na elections,” Enverga said in a chance interview with reporters Tuesday night, September 8, after a nearly 4-hour meeting with administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II.
(Even if we’re done speaking to the presidential candidates, perhaps it’s best we wait for Mayor Duterte. Only then will the party be able to decide on which candidate we’ll be supporting in the coming elections.)
Enverga said they invited Duterte to a Wednesday meeting but was told the mayor was unavailable. The Davao mayor is set to visit Tuguegarao in Cagayan on Wednesday, September 9.
Duterte did not, however, say that he was unwilling to meet the party.
A day after issuing a categorical statement that he would not run for president, Duterte traveled all the way to Metro Manila to visit Navotas and Malabon, where he had a motorcade and addressed students.
During his Navotas and Malabon visits, Duterte reiterated his decision, adding that he has no plans of accepting any national government positions.
The NPC, which is set to endorse a candidate come 2016, will be announcing its pick in the coming weeks. The party has met with Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. – Rappler.com
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