MALACAÑANG on Wednesday denied the claim of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that the real intention of President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president is to become a successor-president. Lagman earlier said Duterte, who has entertained the notion of running for vice president after his term ends, "fully knows" that a vice president will have no immunity from lawsuits. Duterte said he might as well run for vice president to get away from the possible charges that may be filed against him. Early this month, Duterte said he was seriously considering running for vice president but later admitted that the idea was just a scare tactic. He, however, expressed his misgivings about the position, citing the absence of an official function of the vice president.

Source: Manila Times July 21, 2021 16:29 UTC