Duterte rules out running for president

DAVAO CITY (2ND UPDATE) - After teasing a possible presidential run in 2016, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday that he has no plans of seeking the presidency and will retire from public life next year.

"After talking to my family and to all persons who are interested in my career as a politician, I would like to categorically state now, hindi ako tatakbo ng presidente. Wala akong ambisyon maging presidente. In 2016, I will retire [from] public life for good," Duterte said in a press conference at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

He also said he is urging his daughter, Inday Sara Duterte, to run for mayor when he steps down next year.

The mayor said he will continue to push for a shift to a federal form of government. He said he will support any candidate who supports federalism and will support his advocacy in Mindanao.

Duterte's announcement doused speculation that the tough-talking mayor would seek higher office after rating favorably in pre-election surveys.

A Pulse Asia survey last June showed Duterte placing third behind Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay on a list of potential candidates for the 2016 presidential election.

He placed fourth in a similar survey conducted by Social Weather Stations, behind Poe, Binay and Secretary Mar Roxas.

'IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT'

Duterte's camp had announced on Sunday that the mayor would make an important announcement on Monday at 4 p.m.

His supporters got excited over the possibility he would already declare his presidential bid in the 2016 elections.

The Grand Men Seng Hotel was filled with members of the media, Duterte supporters, local government officials and barangay captains.

Duterte then entered the room and announced he had decided not to run for president.

Duterte explained his travels around the country is to promote federalism.

The mayor then left the hotel and members of the media weren't able to ask questions.

'DIRTY RUDY'

Duterte earlier said that if he wins the presidential race, he would make way for many changes ranging from exempting workers earning below P 25,000.00 from taxes to subsidizing mass transport to help decongest roads.

He also criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and former Human Rights Commission chair Etta Rosales, saying he would probably win if the two continue their tirades against him.

"Pinag-iisipan ko na, na kung may sampung, o 100 people like De Lima campaigning for me, and Etta Rosales, (expletive) mananalo ako niyan. Mananalo ako! Etta Rosales and De Lima will provide the edge," he said.

The mayor also said he does not want to become president because it could lead to the killings of up to 100,000 criminals all over the country.

"Alam nyo po, pag ako ang presidente, I will warn you I do not covet the position. Pag naging presidente ako, magtago na kayo. Yung 1,000 [dead criminals] na yan it would reach 50,000. I will kill all you [expletive] for making the life of the Filipino miserable. Papatayin ko talaga kayo.

"Manalo ako kasi because of breakdown of law and order. I do not want to commit a crime but if by chance God will place me there, magbantay kayo. Yung 1,000, magiging 100,000. Dyan mo makita tataba yung isda sa Manila Bay. Dyan ko kayo itapon.

"I do not want to be president. I do not want to kill people so do not elect me as president."

Duterte earlier confirmed and then backtracked on his alleged links to the Davao Death Squad, which is allegedly responsible for summary executions of criminals in the city.

READ: Duterte says he'll kill 100,000 criminals