MANILA, Philippines – “Mahal namin siya.” (We love him.)

Broadcaster Ruben Castor, who filed an election-related petition against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, among others, admitted that he himself wants Duterte to become Philippine president.

The only thing he wants is for Duterte not to substitute for anti-crime advocate Martin Diño, who filed an invalid certificate of candidacy (COC).

Castor said this on Friday, December 18, after attending a hearing on the case he filed against Duterte, as well as Diño and political party PDP-Laban.

In his petition, Castor said he wants Diño’s COC declared null and void because it contains an error.

Rappler reported in October that Diño, in his COC, erroneously declared that he is running “for the position of mayor” of Pasay City.

Castor said that because Diño’s COC is null and void, Duterte then cannot substitute for Diño. 

‘I’m one of his admirers’

Despite his petition against Duterte, Castor told reporters on Friday that he still wants the Davao City mayor to win as president. “Aba siyempre!” (Of course!)

Castor explained that he is supporting Duterte because the mayor also belongs to the Guardians Brotherhood, which is composed mostly of soldiers and former military personnel.

“Isa sa ako sa tagahanga, dahil Guardian nga ako eh, Guardian siya eh. Kaya gusto ko, lahat ng ginagawa niya ay tuwid na landas,” Castor said.

(I’m one of his admirers, because I’m a Guardian. He’s also a Guardian. So I want everything he does to be on the straight path.)

He then showed reporters a tatoo on his hands, containing the letters RMG. He said RMG means, “Ranking Member Guardian.”

Referring to Duterte, Castor said: “Guardian ako ha, RMG, kaya mahal namin siya. Lalo na ako. Kaming mga Guardian, mataas ang katungkulan niya sa Guardian, mahal namin siya.

(I’m a Guardian – RMG – that’s why we love him. Especially on my part. We Guardians – he has a high position in the Guardians – we love him.)

The Comelec is set to decide on Castor’s petition, but in the meantime accepted Duterte’s COC as part of its “ministerial” duty. – Rappler.com