No is No: Duterte files COC for Davao mayor

MANILA (UPDATE) - It's official. Rodrigo Duterte will not run for president and will instead seek reelection as Davao City Mayor.

Duterte's chief-of-staff Bong Go and Davao City Administrator Atty. Melchor Quitain file Duterte's certificate of candidacy for mayor past 2 p.m. Thursday. Photo courtesy of Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Duterte's chief-of-staff Bong Go and Davao City administrator Melchor Quitain filed Duterte's COC for mayor at around 2:35 p.m.

Duterte's certificate of candidacy. Photo courtesy of Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

According to Quitain, Duterte reiterated that he never said he would run for president.

"Mayor has come up with a decision na po," Quitain said, referring to Duterte's reelection bid.

"Nalulungkot siya sa lahat ng supporter niya kasi gusto niyang pagbigyan lahat, pero uulitin lang niya na hindi niya sinabing tatakbo siya sa pagkapangulo," he added.

Go was also seen wearing a white shirt with "No is No" printed on the front, and "Sinabi ko na, ayaw ko, ang titigas ng ulo niyo - Rody Duterte" at the back.

Duterte's chief-of-staff Bong Go wearing a statement shirt.

Duterte, who arrived in Davao City from Palawan on Thursday, traditionally does not file his COC personally.

Go earlier announced that Duterte will seek reelection.

Last Monday, Duterte apologized to his supporters and said he will not run for president in the 2016 election.

He said that instead of seeking the presidency, he would rather retire from politics at the end of his term in 2016 or seek reelection.

"I believe my destiny is to end years and years of public life in the service of Davao City and every Davaoeno. Thus, if Inday Sara agrees to run for mayor, I will retire at the end of my term in 2016. If she does not, the option to run again for mayor is on the table," he said.

"There was no ambition for me to aspire for the presidency. The country does not need me and I find no need for it. I guess it is fate that wills that our long journey together should end this way."

While Duterte has already made it clear that he will not run for president, his supporters are still hoping that he will change his mind on or before Friday, the last day of filing of COCs.

Duterte's own daughter, Sara, and supporters, have shaved their heads in support of a campaign to convince the mayor to run for president. -- with reports from May May Benedicto, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao, and Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News.