MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has voiced hope for a “compassionate and decisive” successor.
“First, the president should be a compassionate one, ‘yung para sa tao talaga (He should be pro-people),” he said in a prerecorded exclusive interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired Saturday on SMNI. “Second, you must be decisive.”
Aside from the two qualities mentioned by Duterte, he believes the next president should be a “mayor” and a lawyer like him.
He stated that his successor should be capable of dealing with several issues confronting the country, particularly the Philippines’ South China Sea (SCS) disputes with China.
“You should be prepared to tackle each and every problem,” Duterte said. “Isang tingin mo lang maka-decide ka na kaagad, and the repercussions, alam mo na kung ano (You should know how to make a prompt decision and the possible repercussions of your [actions]).”
The 10 candidates seeking the country’s top post are Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Lanao del Sur businessman Faisal Mangondato, and Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr.
Among the 10 presidential bets, Moreno currently serves as Manila City mayor, while Robredo and Montemayor are both lawyers.
Earlier, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, also acting presidential spokesperson stated that Duterte might support or endorse a presidential aspirant whose name contains the letter “O.”
Regarding Andanar’s recent statement, he later clarified that his was merely based on his instincts.
Duterte, who previously supported Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s presidential bid who later withdrew, has yet to endorse a presidential candidate.
When asked if he expects the national and local elections on May 9, 2022 to be clean and honest, Duterte replied, “I cannot guarantee you that it will be peaceful.”
However, he asserted that no election-related violence would be tolerated.
