TAGAYTAY CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, January 3, appealed to the public to vote for credible and reliable public officials in the upcoming midterm elections, instead of relying on survey results.
The Chief Executive made the statement when he attended the birthday celebration of former Presidential Political Adviser Atty. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, at the Sigtuna Hall of the Tagaytay International Convention Center. President Duterte said, “Iyong mga nangunguna sa survey… Susmaryosep… Eh may mga tao dito na dedicated, may alam.”
“Ito ‘yung mga trabaho — trabahante ng gobyerno na utusan mo, bigyan mo ng pera, makikita mo ‘yung results,” he continued.
The President also reiterated that if the Philippines will not have law and order and corruption will still continue, then the nation will not progress. Therefore, it is significant to elect public servants that are the embodiment of “integrity.”
Apart from his appeal to the public, President Duterte reinforced his call to politicians vying for public positions this coming May elections to, “let the people vote freely,” and not “terrorize” the upcoming polls.
“Huwag mo lang galawin ang Pilipino kasi may oath of office. It’s a long one. But I’ll give you two sentences of what it is all about… I promise to protect the people and preserve this nation, the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
“So ganun lang. If you want — kung candidate ka, tagilid ka, huwag mong i-terorismo,” he added.
Apprehending ‘big fish’ involved in illegal drugs
Meanwhile, President Duterte warned that in the remaining three years of his term, his administration will be targeting ‘big time’ people involved in illegal drugs.
“I’m just [giving a] warning for the remaining three years [of his term] na ‘yung malalaki, talagang tatamaan ‘yan. And if you ask me kung mamatay ‘yan? Mamatay talaga ‘yan,” he emphasized.
“Pag big time ka , hindi kita papatawarin,” he continued.
According to the President, the war against illicit drugs was his sacred promise to the Filipino people, and he is keen to make this possible till the last days of his term as the head of state.
“I could not really fulfill my promise to do away with drugs within six years. Impossible… It’s going to be a continuing one,” he explained.
