MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – When Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte first officially announced that he will run for president of the Philippines in the 2016 elections, he said that what prompted his decision was the  Senate tribunal vote throwing out the disqualification case (DQ) against Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid.

Duterte believed then that Poe, being a foundling, is not a natural-born citizen and thus not qualified to seek the highest post in the land. The decision of the tribunal, he said, “cheapens the Constitution, the only thing that holds the country together.”

Since then, the Commission on Elections has disqualified Poe, prompting the DQ case to come before the Supreme Court.

Well, yesterday the high court ruled in favor of Poe, in a 9-6 decision, affirming the senator’s status as a natural-born citizen, paving the way for her presidential bid.

Today, saying he was a man who has a word of honor, and being a lawyer who respects the law and constitutional process, Duterte suspended his campaign to run for president.

‘With the Supreme Court ruling, my primary motivation for running is now moot and void,’ Duterte said.

So the presidential race is now down to three candidates. Four if you count VP Jejomar Binay.