DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 08 November) – Exactly a week after saying “nothing has changed” even as the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) compelled him to substitute for PDP Secretary-General Martin Dino who withdrew his candidacy for President, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said he “might just decide to run as president” if the Filipino people continue to be oppressed.
Duterte had just finished endorsing the senatorial bid of former Metro Manila Development Authority chair Francis Tolentino, his special guest in his Sunday television program, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” when the anchor asked if Duterte would include Toletino in his slate if he were to run for President.
“Prangka-prangka. (I’m just being frank). I do not like the way the oppressed Filipinos are being treated now. Oppressed na, wala pang matakbuhan. Pagsinobrahan ninyo kastigo ang mga Filipino, I might just decide to run as president,” Duterte said.
Duterte’s supporters expected him to file a certificate of candidacy for President during the filing period on October 12 to 16. Duterte, however, had his city administrator file his COC for mayor on October 15.
In Compostela Valley last Tuesday, when the New People’s Army released PFC Marjon Añover and PFC Niño Alabas after 33 days of holding them captive, Duterte called the present administration “inutile” for its lack of action on the “laglag bala” extortion scheme that victimizes passengers by planting bullets in their bags at the Ninoy Aquinio International Airport for money.
“I am accusing the Philippine government for its failure to protect its people,” he said.
“Og galing man modagan ko tungod na sa pagbati sa akong isig katao (If ever I decide to run that’s because of how I feel for the Filipino people),” he said.
In his Sunday show, Duterte said he admires Tolentino’s principles and described him as an “entity by himself.”
“I want to see him in the Senate. He is one of the most decent public officials in our country,” he added.
He encouraged the voting public to look for candidates who are not only leading the surveys but also those who live by their principles.
“You better wake up guys…Maghanap kayo ng mga tao na may prinsipyo sa buhay importante masyado yan para hindi kayo mawala sa landas, karami ninyo pinili na tao tingnan nyo kung ano nangyari sa ating bayan (Look for candidates who have principles in life because these are very important so that we will not lose our way. You have chosen so many people, look at what happened to our nation?),” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)