DAVAO CITY — Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte thanked the Filipino voters for considering him for a senatorial position in the coming midterm elections.

The statement came after his name was constantly included in senatorial surveys for the 2025 midterm election conducted by various reputable survey firms.

The surveys placed the young Duterte from the top 9 to 12 as a viable senatorial candidate along with Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa who are also from Davao City.

Duterte expressed his surprise for having been included in the survey when he had no inkling of running for a higher position.

"I started in politics serving Dabawenyos and would like to retire doing the same besides the fact that I do not have the capacity to finance a nationwide campaign. What little I have saved is allocated for my retirement and for the education of my children," Duterte said.

The young lawmaker said that even during the term of his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, some people have already been begging him to run for senator.

"And I can be honest that it crossed my mind to run when a few people are encouraging me to run for Senate, especially during the presidency of PRRD, but I don't think it would be that easy," he said, adding that it is hard for him to leave the Dabawenyos whom he has served for many years.

"Lastly I have to ask my family's blessing since they will be the ones who would be most affected by all the black propaganda that comes along with election season," Duterte added.

He said a Duterte president and a vice president is enough contribution of their family to the country.