(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — President Rodrigo Duterte is still not endorsing any candidate for the country’s top post, saying he prefers to “stay neutral” for now.

In an interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar aired Friday, Duterte said he’s “not in a hurry” to name his preferred successor, stressing that the interest of the Filipino people is at stake.

“I may or I may not, but preferably, I’d like to stay neutral,” Duterte told Cabinet Report. “Ibig sabihin, wala akong susuportahan na kandidato (Meaning, I won’t support any candidate).”

“Unless, again, there’ll be a compelling reason for me to go out and tell the people what it is,” he added. “I would like to bide my time. I’m not in a hurry.”

Prior to the start of the campaign period, Duterte said he won’t be supporting any candidate yet — even if some of them have already “communicated” with him.

His party PDP-Laban is left with no standard bearer after Sen. Bong Go dropped out of the presidential race.