Hardline Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the ruling party’s vice-presidential endorsement for next election

Duterte has served too many terms as President and is now legally barred from seeking another term in office and now has agreed to run due to popular calls in his own government.

Critics say he is seeking the second-highest position in the land to stay in power and fend off possible political trouble after the end of his presidency.

The ruling party will meet next month and is also seeking to continue economic and anti-illegal drugs agenda into its next term if it does win.

Duterte’s former aide recently stated he’s open to run for President next year if the leader will be his ‘running mate’

Currently Prime Minister, Duterte is making “the sacrifice” and heeding “the clamour of the people,” Karlo Nograles, executive vice president of the ruling PDP-Laban party, said in a statement.

Durte is 76 and has been President since 2016. He is known for his hardline views on illegal drugs and telling his citizens that if they don’t want the COVID vaccine they’d be jailed.