Duterte personally files COC for president

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte appeared before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila to personally file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president.

This is the second time he formalized his bid as he also filed his COC for president through his lawyer on November 27.

Duterte secured his COC as a substitute to former Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) presidential bet Martin "Bobot" Diño. He appeared in the poll body two days before the December 10 deadline of substitution at the Comelec’s legal department.

Before filing his COC, Duterte consulted with his lawyers.

@PhilippineStar Mayor Duterte consults w/ his lawyers before re-filing his COC at the Comelec Law Dept. pic.twitter.com/taUGt1ND4T

— sheila crisostomo (@shecrisostomo) December 8, 2015

After filing his COC, Duterte said his documents seem to be in order.

“Qualified naman ako sa edad ako,” Duterte said.

Asked if he added documents in his new COC, Duterte responded: "Wala okay na raw, hindi na kailangan daw."

The mayor said if the Comelec decides to disqualify his substitution, he will welcome it as he knows it will be for a legal reason and said that he is good even if not elected as president. He said he will not attend Comelec hearing on the validity of his substitution but he will be represented by his lawyers.

“Mas maganda kung hindi... para walang trabaho. It is not really my ambition. Sinasabi ko nga sa inyo hindi ako mamatay pag hindi ako naging president,” Duterte said.

During the filing of his COC, Duterte was accompanied by running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. PDP-Laban president Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Diño also went to the Comelec to support him.

Duterte said Cayetano is his running mate.

@PhilippineStar Supporters of Mayor Duterte now holding protest action infront of Comelec main office in Intramuros. pic.twitter.com/tUBWeTieW5

— sheila crisostomo (@shecrisostomo) December 8, 2015