‘UNDER HIS PRESIDENCY’ Corruption has got to stop - Duterte

by Chito A. Fuentes

ALABEL, Sarangani - A few hours after his lawyer filed his certificate of candidacy for president in Intramuros, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte dropped hints on what to expect if he wins the election.

“Ug akoy ma-presidente, corruption has to stop,” Duterte remarked near the end of his 41-minute talk.

The mayor was optimistic about his chances, noting that he has experience in fighting corruption.

“Once upon a time, I was one of only two Tanodbayans investigators in Mindanao,” he disclosed.

Former Mayor Inday Sara Duterte shows her COC as substitute to his father, who withdrew his COC for reelection as Mayor and files as substitute for President at the Comelec in Manila.

This little-known detail of Duterte’s service record happened before the establishment of the Ombudsman.   

“Criminality has to go,” the mayor emphatically declared, drawing applause from the audience packed inside the 2,500-capacity gym.

Duterte earned a reputation for cleaning up Davao which was a virtual killing fields prior to his assumption.

The mayor, who has come under fire from human rights advocates, made it clear he won’t change his ways.

“Di man ko mahadlok ug human rights,” he added.

Duterte asserted it is time to instill fear in the law.

Among the current crop of presidential candidates, it is only Duterte who has repeatedly warned of the upsurge of criminality.

“We have lost a generation sa drugs,” he pointed out.

Duterte recalled instances when he dealt harshly with criminals and drug lords.

“Hardliner ko, cruel ko sa criminal,” he warned. 

The mayor has consistently warned shady personalities that if they do drugs in Davao, he would kill them.

“I don’t know what would be my policy, pero pareho siguro. I will use the military and the police,” he hinted.

Duterte walked into a highly-partisan crowd which erupted into wild applause and deafening shouts at the venue to speak on the occasion of Sarangani’s 23rd foundation day.

The noise rose decibels higher when Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Duterte was the newest presidential candidate in next year’s election.

Marcos spoke ahead of Duterte and was already entertaining questions when the mayor arrived. Duterte caught up with the symposium arriving aboard a chopper after presiding over a press conference in Davao.

Earlier that morning, he withdrew his candidacy for mayor, paving the way for the filing of his certificate of candidacy for president in Intramuros by lawyer Salvador Medialdea.

Duterte’s daugher, lawyer Sara Duterte-Carpio, in turn filed her certificate of candidacy to replace him.

The swift execution stunned even his close friends and political lieutenants.

After the initial surprise, however, the formality of his presidential bid triggered frenzied rejoicing among his followers particularly on social media.  

“I can promise you a law-abiding, God-fearing, comfortable community,” he responded to question on what his legacy will be.

With what Duterte brings to the table, there are enough reasons to celebrate. (CHITO A. FUENTES)