President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
President Rodrigo Duterte said he would be “happy to step down” if the Supreme Court favors the quo warranto petititon filed against him by lawyer Elly Pamatong, who wants his 2016 presidential victory invalidated.
“May problema ako kasi ang balita ko sa Supreme Court ready na daw ‘yung decision sa quo warranto at I’m also due for ouster kagaya ni [Sereno], yung finile ni Pamatong,” Duterte said during the anniversary of the Office of the Solicitor General on Monday.
“Ah ‘di bale uuwi na lang ako sa amin. I would be happy to step down,” he added.
The event was closed for media coverage but Malacañang provided the media a transcript of the President’s speech.
Amid his ouster plea, Duterte said he leaves his fate to destiny.
“Delikado rin ako kay Pamatong. Patong-patong ‘yang problema natin pero sige lang,” he said.
“Kung hanggang diyan lang ako, I live my destiny. So hanggang diyan lang ako, hanggang diyan lang ako. ‘Di masyado ako niyang ‘oust, oust Dute…’ For all you know, I would be happy to step down,” he added.
In June, Pamatong asked the high court to invalidate the victory of the Duterte in the May 2016 elections for his supposed failure to file a certificate of candidacy on time.
READ: Pamatong asks SC to oust Duterte via quo warranto
The SC on June 29 gave Duterte 10 days to comment on the quo warranto peitition filed by Pamatong.
READ: SC gives Duterte 10 days to answer quo warranto petition
Presiential Spoksesperson Harry Roque said Duterte would respond to the peitition even as it dismissed the plea as “utterly bereft of legal and factual merit.” /kga