(GMA News) Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday asked his partymates in the ruling PDP-Laban not to pressure President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in Eleksyon 2022.

Pimentel, the former president of the PDP-Laban, recalled interactions with Duterte where the latter repeatedly said that he would retire from politics after his term.

“Ako, nu’ng time na maraming pa kaming interactions lalo na nung Senate President pa ako ang naririnig ko is, ‘Pagtapos ng term ko, wala na akong political ambition,” Pimentel told GMA News Online.

“Narating ko na ‘yung pinakamataas na political office in the Republic of the Philippines.’ Hindi na raw s’ya mamumulitika,” he added.

[When I had several interactions with him, especially when I was still the Senate President, I always hear him say ‘After my term, I have no political ambition. I have reached the highest political office in the Republic of the Philippines.’ He said he no longer wants to be involved in politics.]

“Siguro naman naniniwala ako sa paulit-ulit kong narinig. If they want also to give in to the desire of the person and follow the wishes of the person, ‘di na dapat siya pine-pressure nang ganyan,” Pimentel said.

[I believe on what he repeatedly said. If they want also to give in to the desire of the person and follow the wishes of the person, then they should not pressure the person to pursue what some of our partymates want.]