Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his candidacy for the Senate in the country's May 2022 elections, according to the election commission. He reaches term limit as president in 2022.

On June 15, RSF Germany's Christian Mihr tweeted: "A heavy blow against press freedom in the Philippines! Maria Ressa, who has only done her job as a journalist, was sentenced to prison this morning in Kafkaesque proceedings for Internet crime. The court has shown that it is not independent of the Duterte government."

Philippine Senator Christopher "Bong" Go was President Rodrigo Duterte's choice for the presidency. For now, the withdrawal leaves Duterte's administration without a candidate.

The International Criminal Court said it was suspending the investigation it launched in September to look into a deferral request by Manila. Human rights groups slammed the decision, urging it to continue work.

Despite announcing his retirement last month, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has indicated that he will not be bowing out of politics after all.

Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo, an arch-rival of President Rodrigo Duterte and staunch critic of his deadly drug war, said Thursday she will run for the top job, becoming the leading opposition candidate in a crowded election field.

Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will prepare for his defence against an International Criminal Court probe into his deadly drug war after he retires from politics.

President Duterte's legal counsel said the Hague-based war crimes court has no jurisdiction to probe the Philippines' anti-drug crackdown. He added that ICC investigators will not be allowed entry into the country.

Rodrigo Duterte is the ruling political party's vice-presidential nominee for next year's election. Critics say it's an attempt by the strongman to hold on to power after his presidential term ends.

Thousands protest in the Philippines capital Manila as they mark one year left in power for President Rodrigo Duterte. The groups -- from several different sectors -- are calling for Duterte to step down. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hailed his signature drug war policy, but lamented there was a "long way" to go in the controversial crackdown that has killed thousands of people.