Sara Duterte announces vice president candidacy

Ms Duterte-Carpio had been expected to run for president in 2022

Sara Duterte-Carpio, mayor of Davao City and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, delivers a speech at a rally. Her father has hinted Ms Duterte-Carpio could run for president in the May 2022 national election. Reuters

Like her father, Ms Duterte-Carpio trained as a lawyer. Reuters

President Duterte arrives with Ms Duterte-Carpio to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, in 2019. Reuters

Mr Duterte was mayor of Davao for two decades before becoming president in 2016. He has announced he will retire from politics. EPA

Analysts say it is crucial for Mr Duterte to have a loyal successor such as Ms Duterte-Carpio. AFP

The daughter of Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has filed her candidacy for the vice presidency, her spokesperson said on Saturday, ending months of speculation about her 2022 election plans.

Sara Duterte-Carpio, 43, entered the vice presidential race by way of substitution after her political party's original candidate withdrew, her spokesperson, Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, said.

Shortly after her candidacy papers were filed by a representative, the political party of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator who has registered to run for president, adopted Ms Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential choice.

Ms Garcia-Frasco said Ms Duterte-Carpio would be releasing a statement shortly.

Her decision to seek the country's number two job came as a surprise as she has led opinion polls throughout this year as the preferred presidential candidate.

"It was a surprise," Antonio La Vina, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University told Reuters. "Next surprise is VP for whom."

In the Philippines, the president is elected separately from the vice president.

Ms Duterte-Carpio's 76-year-old father is barred by the Constitution from seeking a second six-year term. He said last month he was retiring from politics.

The Southeast Asian nation of 110 million people holds elections in May for positions from president down to governors, mayors and local officials.

Apart from Mr Marcos, other presidential aspirants in next year's polls include former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, vice president Leni Robredo, Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso, senator Panfilo Lacson, and Duterte's former police chief Ronald dela Rosa.