Duterte: Consider me last of your options

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte dismissed all the fuss surrounding his presidential bid, telling supporters to vote for him only after considering all other presidential candidates.

“I would like to suggest, take a look at other candidates. ‘Wag na muna ako, baka sumakit lang ulo niyo (Don’t consider me just yet. You’ll just have a headache),” Duterte quipped in his speech before at least a hundred supporters gathered for a thanksgiving event late Tuesday evening.

But quickly turning serious, the Davao Mayor said, “After siguro pinag-isipan niyo mabuti (If you have thought about it well enough) in the last week preceding the elections, you might want to remember me.”

The Davao Mayor, together with running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, attended a joint party of two supporters, Lito Banayo and Rolly Macasaet – both December celebrants. The party also appeared to celebrate Duterte’s formal entry into the race.

But just hours after he personally appeared before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reaffirm his presidential bid Tuesday, December 8, Duterte still appeared not too eager to pursue the presidency.

“I am not dreaming for the presidency because it is a tough job. The enormity of the problems of the country is really daunting. I think no one here can honestly say he can do it,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Problem talaga ‘yan kasi… ah (That’s really a problem) just to think about the 6 years ahead. Diyos ko, puwede bang substitution, ikaw na lang (My God, can you just substitute for me?)” joked Duterte in an interview with reporters.

He also said he does not care about the possibility of disqualification due to the irregularities of his COC filing. (READ: Duterte to Comelec: I’m ready to accept any decision)

” I do not really give a … ,” Duterte said, trying to control uttering a cussword.   

Supporters’ defense 

Despite his contradictory statements on his candidacy, his supporters still believe that he will not back out of the race.

“Once he said eto na committed na siya, diretso na siya (this is it, he is committed. He’ll go on). I do believe he’s committed to doing everything to follow the law the technicalities and the substance of the law,” Cayetano told reporters on the sidelines of the event. 

Another supporter, senatorial candidate Dante Jimenez said, “Walang bearing ‘yun ([Duterte’s fluctuating stance on the presidency] has no bearing) the mere fact that he went to the Comelec is an affirmation of his intent.”

“You know Mayor Duterte, he talks from his heart…it is not scripted. Whatever he believes, he says it,” senatorial candidate Dante Jimenez told Rappler in an interview.

Jimenez was also present in the event together with local officials and businessmen. 

Being a former chairman of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Jimenez has been known to staunchly support Duterte and his advocacies for curbing criminality. (READ: Duterte: I killed 700? No, make that 1,700) 

Banayo, a politician and former National Food Authority (NFA) administrator, defended Duterte’s hot and cold statements, saying the Davao Mayor is only stressing he is not “lusting for the presidency.”

“It’s just an expression on his part that he is not lusting for presidency. Sa kanya (For him), he will take things as they are,” Banayo told Rappler in a short interview.

Duterte topped the recent Social Weather Stations election polls. The tandem’s camp remains optimistic since they also see “very good numbers” in their ratings based on an internal survey. – Rappler.com