After months of giving mixed signals about his presidential bid, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he is finally going to run for the country’s top post.

During a party in Dasmariñas, Cavite, the feisty mayor said he decided to join the 2016 race after the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) voted against a petition to disqualify Senator Grace Poe on the grounds of her citizenship.

Supporters not surprised: Duterte declares bid for presidency

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte finally categorically declared on Saturday (November 21) his intention to run for president in the 2016 national elections  — which came as no surprise to many of his close and loyal supporters.

It was at a private party in Dasmariñas, Cavite, that Duterte finally declared his interest in joining the presidential race.

“What made me decide to run? Was it an offer for money? No,” he said. Gusto ko lang sabihin sa lahat stop [F-word] with the Filipinos… I have nothing against Grace but if you run for the highest post in the land… it must be reserved for a true-blue Filipino,” Duterte was quoted as saying. READ MORE

ALSO READ: Carpio cites flaws in SET ruling on Poe disqualification case