Hearts broken as #DuterteSerye ‘ends’

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of Filipinos were hopeful until the last minute that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on Friday, October 16.

On social media, the hashtag #DuterteSerye topped the Philippine and worldwide trends. Netizens likened waiting for Duterte to a teleserye or a TV show because of the excitement and suspense it provoked.

In the end, hearts were broken as the popular mayor reaffirmed his earlier decision that he is not running for president. Netizens took to social media their frustration and sadness.

#DuterteSerye

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Still, some netizens expressed their admiration for Duterte for keeping his word.

#DuterteSerye napakadakilang lider tlaga ni du30, iyan ang isang tunay na. Mailokok sa pwesto! Still. Believe in du30 magic, may dec pa!

— Alexuscentury (@AlexusCentury) October 16, 2015

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte – Ang Pambansang Pabebe. But I don’t mind; I give my highest respect to Him. I salute you Mayor!! #DuterteSerye

— Jowi Lamarca (@iamjowilamarca) October 16, 2015

I still admire his love and dedication to serve Davao. Anyway, nothing has changed, hindi ka uhaw sa posisyon unlike others #DuterteSerye

— Dennis Matchimura ™ (@denxoholic) October 16, 2015

But some see a glimmer of hope that Duterte can still change his mind and run for president. Marty Diño, Deputy Secretary-General of PDP-Laban, Duterte’s political party, filed his COC for president.

According to the Commission on Elections, should he decide to run for president, Duterte can still substitute for Diño until December 10, since they belong to the same party.

Duterte hopefuls

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As is the nature of online trends, memes were not hard to find among the dozens of both heartbroken and happy tweets on the subject:

An exclusive peek at Duterte’s My Documents pic.twitter.com/58uMNDVyzk

— Richard Bolisay (@richardbolisay) October 10, 2015

TGIF daw from Mr. & Mrs. Mar Roxas! #DuterteSerye pic.twitter.com/jNmTa31Vzs

— king del rosario (@kingdelrosario) October 16, 2015

Di ako maka-MOVE ON! Mazzaquette! #Dutertezoned #DuterteSerye pic.twitter.com/tOLFgfzfTG

— Ponder.Woman (@PonderWoman8) October 16, 2015

Thousands watching

In Rappler’s livestream of the COC filing, thousands of netizens eagerly waited for Duterte to appear.

A few minutes before the 5 pm deadline, Friday, the number of viewers reached more than 11,500. Their hopes slowly turned into frustration as the deadline passed with many calling the mayor “paasa” or stirring people’s hopes for nothing.

But for Duterte supporters, the #DuterteSerye will continue until December 10. – Rappler.com