President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to “consider” voting for senatorial aspirant Freddie Aguilar in the 2019 midterm elections.
Duterte described Aguilar as a “brilliant man” and a “nationalist.”
“Kaya ngayon, Freddie is running for senator. Wala akong hilingin sa inyo kung hindi just consider. He is a brilliant man,” the President said after he led the inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Duterte approached Aguilar after the artist performed few folk songs during the PITX inauguration. After few praises on Aguilar, Duterte eventually raised the hand of the singer.
“Kaya ako, nakikiusap, tutal dose ‘man ‘yan. Ibigay niyo sa isang nationalist. Sa isang taong nagmamahal sa bayan, and with the protest of his songs are there,” he said.
The President commended the songs of Aguilar, saying there is social relevance in his songs.
“[H]e is a singer, and that is his profession. Pero kung sabihin niyong bilib ako, lahat ng kanta niya there is a social aspect, Magdalena, they abound everywhere. Pipi at Bingi at you know. It says something to the Filipino,” he said.
“In his time, in our generation, he has several messages for the Filipinos to remember,” Duterte also said.
He even said in jest that he would go after those who would not vote for Aguilar
“Kaya ako, kasali kayo, pag hindi niyo binoto ‘yan bantay kayo sa akin, isa-isahin ko kayo,” the President said.
“Tulungan natin si Freddie because he is one exemplary nationalist guy and do not ever think that Tagalog lang. He’s my friend, he’s a brilliant guy, he can talk and he can help the country,” he added.
He urged Filipino voters to give Aguilar the chance to bring the message of his songs to Congress.
“Maybe he can relate or translate his songs in Congress and give him a chance also; give him a platform to tell us about what he feels. Isang nationalist,” he said.
“I was given a chance to hear you. And may I, you know, just raise his right hand. Vote for Freddie Aguilar. Karamihan diyan politiko kagaya sa amin, but seldom isang tao dedicate his songs in Tagalog in our native tongue, ‘yung kanya listen very carefully,” he said.
“It is really a protest song for everybody. Kasama na gobyerno diyan. ‘Yun pagkukulang natin, so ako I admit it, we’re doing a lot but still falling short of expectations of our country,” he added. /kga