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Uncertainty over the Philippine presidential election would increase in the short term, according to a Fitch Group unit, which says it believes Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is not out of the race yet.
“We at Fitch Solutions believe that there is still a strong possibility that Sara Duterte can still run for president despite not submitting candidacy by the October 8, 2021 deadline,” Fitch Solutions stressed in a report released Tuesday.
Duterte-Carpio’s absence from the vice-presidential and presidential candidate lists was surprising, he emphasized. war “on drugs. “
She could still run, the Fitch unit added, by substituting for another candidate by the November 15 deadline, just as President Duterte did six years ago.
“Sara has announced that she intends to run for mayor of Davao City, but the potential for her to make a late bid for the presidency remains in fact. In fact, campaign will officially start in January, which may allow time for further political surprises and alliance shifted for years- end, “it continued.
Fitch Solutions also said that the issue of who represents the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan party has remained unresolved, citing an ongoing internal dispute over who the Electoral Commission is expected to rule.
Meanwhile, with President Duterte withdrawing from the vice-presidential campaign, the chances of a policy change after the elections have increased. The Fitch unit sees that the next president would take a further approach to China’s relations and that he or she would seek international support for the country’s problems with Beijing in the South China Sea.
“Nevertheless, we at Fitch Solutions believe that a shift to a liberal democratic presidency remains of little chance and highlight the potential for important Duterte policies, such as its focus on infrastructure development and the ‘drug war’, to varying degrees,” it stressed.
The Fitch unit said there were a few shocks among the presidential candidates and the majority of them will offer policy continuity from the Duterte administration.
It is believed that the following candidates are most likely to make a serious bid for the presidency: Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo; Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson; Mayor of Manila Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao; Sen. Ronald “Bato” from Rosa; and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
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