The daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday removed herself from the running for mayor of Davao City, just days away from a deadline to change candidates for the presidential election next year.

Sara Duterte-Carpio, 43, who has been widely tipped to succeed her father, did not say why she was withdrawing from the mayoral election but told supporters on Facebook that further announcements would be made later.

Throughout this year, she has come top in opinion polls on preferred candidates to succeed her father as president but has said she does not want the job.

The Philippines holds elections in May 2022 for positions from president down to governors, mayors and local officials. The window for changing candidates expires on November 15.

"This afternoon, I am withdrawing my candidacy for mayor of Davao City," she said, announcing that her brother Sebastian, her vice mayor, will run instead.

President Duterte, 76, cannot seek a second term under the constitution and plans to retire.

Sara Duterte is hugely popular, and her family has run Davao for more than three decades.

Other candidates for the presidency include senator and retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, former actor and Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso, incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson and former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr – son of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

(With input from Reuters)