Ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte urged by Gloria Arroyo to re-enter politics

Marcos Jnr’s Philippine presidency an exercise in redemption

On the issue of the South China Sea, Duterte had requested Xi to “look kindly to the Philippines”.

Senators later called on the Marcos administration to appoint Duterte as special envoy to Beijing, pointing to his “good standing” with the Chinese leadership.

Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s former spokesman, said the politician was not interested in taking up the post.

“First of all, there is no need for that. He is a former president. He is enjoying his retirement. Let us leave him alone,” Panelo said.

But that did not stop Arroyo from persuading Duterte to re-enter frontline politics when they met in Manila over the weekend.

“A simple gathering and happy meeting happened with the leaders who served the people in different positions during the previous administrations. They reminisced about the times when they worked together in the government,” said senator and Duterte’s long-time aide Bong Go.

Go added Arroyo, also the deputy house speaker, encouraged Duterte to become active in politics again. He declined to disclose what Duterte’s response was, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Arroyo had strongly backed Marcos Jnr and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio during the 2022 election.

Philippines could be ‘graveyard’ if US-China rivalry gets out of hand: Duterte

Philippine social media users also appear to be warming up to the idea of Duterte’s political resurrection.

“It’s good to have the iron hand back. I hope you can solve the suffering of people,” wrote a Facebook user.

Said another: “Come back now, I hope your unity is a big force. We believe in you.”

Others urged the ageing “crimebuster” to look after his health and let his daughter Sara contest in the next presidential poll.

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Philippines’ Marcos touts strong economy in Congress speech amid fierce protests

Philippines’ Marcos touts strong economy in Congress speech amid fierce protests

Duterte’s presidency was also marked by his brutal drug war in which at least 6,221 people were killed in anti-narcotics operations from July 2016 to November 2021, according to government data.

Human rights groups warned the actual death toll could be more than triple the official count, which does not include killings of drug suspects blamed on alleged vigilantes.