‘After what’s happening, I might run’ - Duterte

by Chito A. Fuentes

“I might run, after all that is happening,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday.

Duterte had increasingly expressed his disgust over recent events in the country and his latest statement hinted he might finally give in to the clamor to aim for Malacanang.

“This tanim-bala, criminality, corruption, political decision instead of the legal issue on (Sen. Grace) Poe’s citizenship are all symptomatic of the oppression of Filipinos,” he complained.

The mayor’s patience obviously has grown thin. 

“Stop f****ing the Filipino. If they cannot stop it, I will stop it,” Duterte said Thursday.

Duterte had expressed his disappointment over Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) ruling on the disqualification case filed against Poe on the grounds that she is not a natural born citizen.

The mayor disagreed with the decision, saying the disqualification case is not a political issue but a “constitutional issue”.

“A theory cannot amend a constitution by presumption,” Duterte said.

The mayor added that Poe will be a “presumptive president whose citizenship is based on presumption.”

“The highest position is reserved for a true-blue Filipino,” he stressed.

On Saturday, upped the ante.

“When Flor Contemplacion was executed, sinunog ko ang flag ng Singapore kaya hindi na ako makapunta sa Singapore, pero babalik ako dun as President,” he told members of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.

This must be music not only to the undisputed hero of OFWs but also his legion of supporters in the Philippines.

Duterte also charmed his audience with his typical wit.

When asked who he will appoint to the notoriously corrupt Bureau of Customs, the mayor replied, “ang ilalagay natin d’yan ‘yung mga walang kamay pati mga pulis para hindi makapanghingi”.

Asked whether he will file his certificate of candidacy on Monday, Duterte, however, replied “not yet”.

“I have to make the rounds to fill in the gaps,” he explained.

This has inspired his supporters to make the final push to catch the last bus to next year’s presidential elections.

The PDP-Laban scheduled a rally at the University of the Philippines Lahug campus in Cebu Sunday.

Although Duterte’s attendance has not been confirmed, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was expected to give inputs into the mayor’s latest mindset.

Lawyer Noel Felongco, who chairs the organizing committee, said also expected to provide star power were entertainers Jimmy Bondoc, who composed the song “Takbo” along with Luke Mejares and Thor.

A mammoth concert is also slated on Nov. 29 at the Bonifacio Global City to rally Duterte supporters in Metro Manila.

Just when everyone thought it was all over, a Duterte presidential run suddenly seems closer than it has ever been. (CHITO A. FUENTES)