MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte may not make good of his word to resign if his son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, runs for speaker of the House of Representatives, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The younger Duterte, who earlier rejected rumors of a possible speakership bid, said Tuesday he might seek the House leadership.

“The House is divided. I might be able to help unite it. Pareho lang kaming binoto ng mga tao ah. Kung term sharing, term sharing na kaming lahat,” he said in a statement.

Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the President may “change his mind” on his earlier pronouncement.

“Di ba sabi ko sa inyo, you make a position, you make a stand on the basis of circumstances. When those circumstances change, you also change your stand. So pwede ring magbago,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing Tuesday.

The President on May 27 said he would step down should Paolo run for House Speaker since there would be too many members of their family holding public office.

• Duterte says to step down if son Paolo seeks House speakership

"Itong si Paolo, sabihin ko sa kanya if you run for speakership, let me know. Kasi kung tatakbo ka magreresign ako kasi marami na tayo. Andiyan yung kapatid mo mayor," the President said.

(I will tell Paolo that if he runs for Speaker, I will resign because there's too many of us. Your sister is a mayor.)

Duterte’s political party, PDP-Laban, earlier endorsed Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco for House Speaker.

Malacañang has insisted that the President would refrain from endorsing any candidate for the speakership.