MANILA, Philippines - A close associate and supporter of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the vocal local executive will be pursuing a presidential bid despite his recent announcement of retiring from politics.
Lawyer Salvador Panelo added that Duterte's actions have been contrary to his statement that he would no longer be entertaining any elective government post in 2016.
"He (Duterte) has been consistent na hindi s'ya tatakbo but his body language says otherwise," Panelo told a weekly media forum in Greenhills, San Juan City.
Panelo said Duterte has been continuously going around the country for a series of speaking engagements regarding his federalism advocacy.
He said Duterte's announcement of his retirement from the political scene is merely a ploy.
"Kapag sinabi nga namang 'di na s'ya tatakbo, hindi na s'ya papansinin ng mga kalaban n'ya. Maiiwasan na rin na atakihin s'ya o siraan s'ya," Panelo said, noting that the outspoken Davao mayor has been a keen political strategist.
Meanwhile, individuals and groups supporting Duterte will be converging on September 15 at Luneta Park in Manila, urging him to run in the 2016 presidential race.