(PHOTO: HNP MEDIA)
President Duterte assured Filipinos that the 2019 midterm elections would not only be held as scheduled but would also be clean and orderly.
Addressing a meeting of the regional Hugpong ng Pagbabago party led by his daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte, in Davao City on Friday, the President said he was even willing to be deputized for election duty next year.
“I commit to the Filipino people that this will be a clean election,” he said.
His statement doused speculations that there would be no elections next year as part of the move to change the Constitution for a shift to a federal system of government.
‘Alunan doctrine’
“I will tell the Comelec to deputize me, personally … There will be voting and the votes will be counted correctly,” the President said.
He added that in the coming months, he would implement what he called as the “Alunan doctrine,” which would limit the number of armed guards that a politician may employ during the election period.
He also told politicians, “You cannot bring long firearms during the election.”
The President warned communist rebels not to “interfere” and terrorize the public in next year’s polls.
He said he would also direct the military and the police “not to interfere if you are not deputized” for election duties.
The President acknowledged that money played a crucial role in winning elections and advised politicians joining Hugpong not to cut their traditional political ties.
Lack of funds
“Coalesce with PDP-Laban but stay with your political parties,” the President told more than 6,000 new Hugpong members who took their oath as party members on Friday.
“It’s impossible (to go into) politics without money. That’s wishful thinking,” the President said. “But I will never ask (for money), I won’t go calling people (for money), I don’t do that.”
He admitted that PDP-Laban, which had carried his platform when he ran for President, never grew very strong because of a lack of funds.
“It’s a principled (political party). I used it as my platform to run for the presidency,” he said.
“I’d like to be very, very frank, Philippine politics is ruled by money … You already know, I don’t have to say it, but PDP, it never grew,” he said.
‘Father and son’ party
“It’s a party between only the father and son, moribund but it came to life again after I won,” he said, referring to Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who both served as Senate President.
The President said he could give moral and political support to friends seeking his help but he wouldn’t raise money for them.
“If you want me to campaign for you, I will. It’s not a problem,” he said, “But to ask for money? No way.” —With reports from Julie M. Aurelio, Jeoffrey Maitem and Judy Quiros