Sotto on Duterte’s marijuana use: ‘It’s supposed to calm you down’

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III answers questions from the media during Kapihan sa Senado on May 24. INQUIRER.NET / CATHY MIRANDA

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III finds President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission to using marijuana to keep him awake “very odd.”

“Baliktad ah. Marijuana is supposed to mostly calm you down,” Sotto said in a text message on Monday.

“Very odd if it’s true,” he added.

The Senate leader made the remark when sought for comment on Duterte’s reported statement.

In a speech, Duterte was quoted as saying that he was using marijuana to keep himself awake during the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore.

“It’s a killing activity, and I think that at my age – ako hindi masyado, kasi nagmamarijuana ako eh, para magising. Sa iba, hindi na kaya,” the President said.

READ: Duterte admits using marijuana to keep him awake

Fighting illegal drugs was one of Duterte’s promises when he ran and won the 2016 presidential race.

Asked how the public should take Duterte’s admission, Sotto simple said: “Odd.” /kga