Duterte calls for press conference Monday afternoon

Davao City (CNN Philippines) — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is again calling for a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. (October 12) at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

The City Information Office did not divulge any details on what it will be about.

Duterte has been holding press conferences the past weeks but has remained steadfast on his decision not to run for president in the 2016 elections.

Recently, the mayor talked to the media, denying his so-called declaration last Saturday (October 10) for the presidential run.

Rumors again flew thick and fast that this time around that Duterte, who was briefed of his growing trust rating in Metro Manila which reportedly reached to 71 percent already, would finally declare his presidential bid.

On his Facebook account, former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said that Duterte's 71-percent trust rating is a development which surprised even the most seasoned political analysts.

"The figures validated what was earlier seen as a visible mass support for Duterte in Metro Manila. Face-to-face interviews with taxi drivers, small business owners and wage earners said they trusted Duterte because of his uncompromising position against drug dealers and criminals," said Piñol.

"Trust is more enduring that popularity," said former Mindanao Presidential assistant Paul Dominguez who briefed Duterte and his close-in staff Friday night.

The unusually high trust rating for Duterte in Metro Manila is believed to be a result of his record of incorruptibility and his accomplishment in making Davao City one of the world's safest cities.

Dominguez, a veteran of many presidential campaigns, said Metro Manila's political leaning and preference traditionally influence the neighbouring provinces including the Southern Tagalog region, referred to as Mega Manila.

With his trust rating soaring in both Metro Manila and Mindanao and his ethnic bailiwick of Eastern Visayas behind him, Duterte is expected to give the other presidential candidates a tough fight in the 2016 elections should he decide to join the race.