The 2016 presidential campaign of Rodrigo Duterte was announced on November 21, 2015. Rodrigo Duterte, who was then serving as Mayor of Davao City, had refused to run and turned down other presidential and vice-presidential aspirants' offers to be his running mate, including that of Jejomar Binay, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Bongbong Marcos. He was eventually elected President of the Philippines. Duterte's positions was seen to have resonated with older, working class Filipinos, particularly his promise to eliminate the wide-scale drug menace of the country and his harsh stances on crime in Davao City, which he served for more than 22 years, and corruption. Duterte's campaign also emphasized an anti-establishment tone, accusing political elites based in Manila of not doing much to solve problems in a move that was described as populist.
Background Calls to run for presidency and negotiations In his speech during the change-of-command ceremony of the Philippine National Police, then-candidate Duterte credited former president Fidel Ramos as his inspiration. Ramos was the first person who flew to Davao City to ask Duterte to run for president.
In February 2014, Duterte had gained support from netizens lauding his performance as mayor of Davao, especially in maintaining order. Some suggested that he run for president, but Duterte stated that he felt he was not qualified for a higher public office.
Early in 2015, Duterte hinted to the media of his intent to run for the presidency in 2016, with the promise of abolishing Congress in favor of a parliament should he win. In February that year, Duterte said in a Baguio federalism forum that he would only run for president "if (it is) to save the republic." Duterte cited the need for about 10 to 15 billion pesos for a campaign war chest as what was keeping him from running. Days later, however, Duterte "re-entered" PDP–Laban; he maintained that he never left the party, and only had to stand under the local party banner, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, in the 2013 local election in order to ensure his victory. PDP–Laban president Aquilino Pimentel III later said that Duterte was among his party's options for a presidential candidate for 2016, noting that the party's position on federalism coincides with Duterte's advocacy. A few days after reports came out saying incumbent Vice-President Jejomar Binay (a presidential aspirant) was eyeing Duterte as his possible running mate, Duterte issued a statement saying that he was not interested in running for a national post.
In September 2014, Duterte declined presidential aspirant and then-incumbent senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's offer to be her running mate, saying that instead of picking him as the senator's running mate, she could ask former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. In March 2015, Lakas–CMD national president Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced that his party was preparing for the 2016 elections; incumbent congressman Danilo Suarez remarked that they were convincing Teodoro to come out of retirement and run anew for a higher office. In October 2015, Santiago chose Bongbong Marcos as her running mate.
Later, during the airing of his weekly program, Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa, on a local channel on June 21, 2015, Duterte stated that he was considering suggestions from his friends and supporters to run for president. He also added that he would stop expressing non-interest in starting a presidential campaign.
At the ASIA CEO Forum in Makati held on June 25, 2015, Duterte again stated that he would not run for a national office, and said that he never desired to do so. A month later, however, Duterte, responding to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's statement that she would not run with Duterte as a matter of principle, saying that he would campaign against the Liberal Party if De Lima is drafted, calling her "hypocritical" and her principles "rotten".
In August, while at a meeting with military officers, Duterte spoke with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison. Duterte said that he told Sison that he would run for president if the CPP's armed wing, the New People's Army, abandoned its over-40-year insurgency, saying, "Armed struggle as a means to achieve change is passe in the modern world we are living in today." Duterte disclosed that Sison was asking him about his plans for 2016; Duerte denied having any.
On September 7, 2015, in a press conference held at Davao City, Duterte declared he would not be running for president in 2016 and apologized to all of his supporters on the decision. He additionally stated that he might retire from politics after his term as mayor of Davao City ends in 2016 and if his daughter ran for the office. Other factors in his possible retirement included age, health concerns and his family's objections.Duterte's final answer: I won't run for president – Inquirer.net. Mixed reactions erupted on social media hours after the declaration and several supporters still continued to petition online, urging the mayor to revert his decision.Duterte's die-hard fans refuse to lose hope as mayor shows up in events – Inquirer.net.
On September 26, 2015, a large number of supporters gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, to urge Duterte to run for the presidency in 2016. The gathering was dubbed "The Million People March" by the media,Duterte supporters all set for 'million people march' – ABS-CBN News. but its followers preferred to call it "The People's Call".Rally for Duterte not a 'million people march' – ABS-CBN News.People calling for Duterte presidential run gather in Rizal Park – GMA News Online.#Duterte2016 tops Twitter, Duterte in Zamboanga during supporters' rally – Davao Today.Bizmen pledge P1B to Duterte candidacy – ABS-CBN News Despite being an undeclared candidate, Pulse Asia Research Director Ana Tabunda still considered Duterte "a serious contender" as he was already ranked fourth in a presidential survey done by Pulse Asia from late August to early September as well as in a then-recent Social Weather Stations survey. He was behind announced and declared candidates Grace Poe, Mar Roxas and Jejomar Binay.Pulse Asia poll: Duterte now a serious contender – ABS-CBN News. Duterte's long-time political rival and critic, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Prospero Nograles, also expressed his support for Duterte if ever the latter decided to run for the presidency. On October 13, 2015, in a press conference held at a local hotel in Davao City, Duterte finalized his decision not to run for the presidency, with his daughter Sara's objection being pointed out as one of the main contributors.Duterte insists: I'm not running – PhilStar.
On October 15, 2015, Duterte's authorized representative, Christopher "Bong" Go, filed Duterte's certificate of candidacy (COC) on the former's behalf at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila for a re-election bid as mayor of Davao. A music video with a disclaimer that it was "non-paid" entitled "Takbo" (Run in English) was uploaded on the same day by rap artist Njel de Mesa, with a theme to urge Duterte to run for the presidency. The song was composed by singer Jimmy Bondoc and featured various artists including Bondoc and de Mesa, Luke Mejares, Paolo Santos, Pido Lalimarmo, Thor, Gail Blanco and other OPM artists.WATCH: 'Takbo' music video urges Duterte to seek presidency – Politics dot com dot ph. Bondoc then stated that he would offer to write another song if the mayor finally decides to join the presidential race in 2016.'Takbo' artists offer one more song if Duterte runs – Mindanao Daily Mirror.
Filing of COC by Martin Diño as PDP–Laban's presidential bet On the afternoon of October 16, Duterte's daughter, Sara, announced via social media that she had filed her candidacy for mayor of Davao City. Her post suggested that her father would withdraw his mayoral candidacy and seek election to higher office.Sara Duterte prepares COC for Davao mayor, hints at dad's presidential run – GMA News Online.Duterte aide: Sara didn't file COC for mayor – GMA News Online. Reportedly, hundreds of supporters rallied at the Comelec office waiting for Duterte to file his candidacy before the 5:00 pm cut-off. On the same day, Martin Diño, an anti-crime activist and barangay captain from Quezon City, filed his candidacy for president. Diño was a member of PDP–Laban, the same party advocating the federalist system which Duterte proposed.Duterte: 'I won't be a substitute candidate' – Inquirer.net. Diño clarified that there was a "clerical error" on his submitted COC (running for Pasay mayor instead of president). In their general meeting held in Pasay on October 26, members of PDP–Laban expressed their support to Diño in his presidential bid.
On October 26, 2015, Duterte said in an interview that his deadline for deciding whether to seek the presidency was December 10. He also warned the people to abide by the law if he wins. Two days later, PDP–Laban standard bearer Martin Diño withdrew his presidential bid and named Duterte as his substitute because there was a possibility that Diño might be declared a nuisance candidate by the COMELEC. On October 30, an alleged campaign video of Duterte and Cayetano circulated on social media that put hopes on Duterte's candidacy as Cayetano's running mate. However, Duterte's aide Bong Go said in an interview that Duterte's mind had not changed yet but that he would continue soul-searching with his family to know if he would run in the upcoming election. On November 1, Duterte said that nothing had changed and that he was not fit for national office. He also said that he was still waiting for a communication from his party about his possible candidacy; Duterte would also wait if his daughter would agree to substitute for him at the mayoral race of Davao and would retire from public service if Sara agreed to do so. On November 2, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) executive Arwin Serrano said that Diño was deemed to face an election sabotage complaint because of proposing Duterte as his substitute for him; however, Diño denied allegations that his filing of candidacy was just a front to pave the way for Duterte's possible substitution. Comelec chairman Andres Bautista, in an interview on November 3, stated that although they have noted Diño's withdrawal, they would not move with any further action with regards to a possible substitution until they had Duterte's consent and unless it would be made official with a COC and a certificate of nomination and acceptance from PDP–Laban.Comelec won't move on Diño's withdrawal unless Duterte agrees to be his substitute – GMA News Online. Duterte himself then further clarified that his decision of acceptance for the substitution offer would be on the deadline itself come December 10.
Official acceptance for substitution On November 21, in a gathering held in his alma mater San Beda College, Duterte announced his presidential bid and also finally accepted Alan Peter Cayetano's offer to be his running mate. Duterte said he was disappointed over the decision made by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) regarding Grace Poe's citizenship as well as the current administration's handling of the 'laglag-bala' issue. Duterte further stated that he would file his candidacy immediately after he reached out to his party.Duterte decides to run for president – ABS-CBN News.Duterte files COC for president – GMA News Online.
Campaign
Duterte topped all other presidentiables including former front-runner Grace Poe in a survey published November 25 and held by Pulse Asia. Poe said that the survey was "inconclusive" and "not reflective" and claimed it was made by Duterte's camp.