Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III has denied speculation that he intends to run for mayor of Davao City, stressing that he has not announced plans to seek any elective position.
In a Facebook post, Torre clarified that reports linking him to a possible mayoral bid stemmed only from online speculation.
“May nag-comment lang yata noong nakaraang araw na tumakbo raw akong Mayor ng Davao, ngayon parang naging totoong balita na,” Torre wrote.
He emphasized that he has made no declaration of candidacy for any local or national post.
“Para malinaw: wala akong sinabing tatakbo akong Mayor ng Davao. At wala rin akong inanunsyong pagtakbo sa anumang local o national position. Kaya huwag muna nating pangunahan ang kuwento,” he said.
Torre added that his focus remains on his duties as MMDA chief, saying public service should not be dictated by the election season.
“Marami pa tayong trabaho. Sa ngayon, trabaho muna. Ang serbisyo, hindi naman kailangang hintayin ang eleksyon,” he said.
His statement came after rumors circulated online that he was being considered as a possible challenger in the Davao City mayoral race, prompting speculation about his political plans.
Earlier, Vice President Sara Duterte said Torre is free to seek the Davao City mayoralty should he decide to enter the race, emphasizing that everyone has the right to run for public office in a democratic country.
“Everyone, of course, in a democratic country, lahat ay allowed at welcome na mag-file ng kanilang certificate of candidacy at tumakbo sa election,” Duterte said in an interview when asked about rumors that Torre was eyeing a post in the Duterte family's political stronghold.
The Vice President's remarks came after reports and online discussions linked Torre to a possible bid against the Duterte political clan in Davao City. Prior to his latest clarification, Torre had also downplayed speculation about entering politics, saying he was focused on public service and had not made any decision to run for office.
With his latest statement, Torre sought to put an end to the rumors, reiterating that his priority remains fulfilling his responsibilities as MMDA general manager rather than preparing for an electoral campaign.
If this is for DZRH News, this version follows a straight-news style, with Torre's denial as the lead and Sara Duterte's reaction providing balanced political context.
