Lito Osmeña endorses Duterte for president

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña expressed on Thursday, March 17, his support for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential bid because of the latter’s campaign for federalism and fight against illegal drugs.

“I do support him (Duterte) for president….I think he is the most desirous of decentralization and also [he has] the only proven success in addressing the biggest global danger, which is drug addiction,” Osmeña said in a press conference at Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City Thursday night.

He said economic progress can only be achieved if there is peace and order, which is one of Duterte’s platforms.

“Unsaon pagsugod og sulbad sa ecomonic problems if there is no peace and order, if there is a plague of drug addiction which affects every family dinhi sa Pilipinas karon?” Osmeña said.

The former Cebu governor also explained his support for Duterte’s campaign for federalism that seeks to decentralize powers and speed up development of the countryside.

He said: “Ang ecomomic progress di mahitabo diri sa Pilipinas unless we begin the process of decentralization.”

He added that the people in Visayas and Mindanao are “slaves of the Capital Region,” saying that the two areas have high income but only get less budget from the national government.

Osmeña said he is also inclined to support Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s candidacy, but believes it is time for the country to have a Bisaya president.

“Inclined unta kong Miriam pero these are not the times for a lady president. Kahinanglan og ato para ato dinhi sa Sugbo ug sa Visayas ug Mindanao, ato nasad,” he said.

Duterte’s fellow presidential candidates are Santiago, Senator Grace Poe, Manuel Roxas II, and Vice President Jejomar Binay. – Rappler.com 

This article is republished under Rappler’s content sharing agreement with the SunStar network in the coverage of the 2016 national and local elections.