Duterte as 2019 SEA Games competitor? He’d be ‘shooting’ for gold
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte would be aiming for the gold and competing with marksmen from other Asean nations in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games shooting event – hypothetically.
In a taped interview aired over GMA7’s “Unang Hirit” on Tuesday morning, the President was asked: “Kung ikaw ay isang atleta sa SEA Games, sa anong sports ka maglalaro?” (If you were a SEA Games athlete, in what sporting discipline would you compete in?)
“Shooting,” Duterte briefly replied.
As of Tuesday morning, the Philippines remains on top of the SEA Games medal tally with 38 gold, 21 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
The 30th SEA Games will run until December 11 in various venues in Metro Manila, Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and La Union.
‘Won’t stop riding’
In the same interview, Duterte was also asked when he will stop riding motorcycles.
The President said: “Kapag patay na ako. Totoo. Hindi ako maghihinto. Kung maghihinto ako mabuti pang mamatay nalang ako. Wala na e. Kung wala na ring kaligayahan ang buhay mo…mabuti pang mamatay ka.”
[(I’ll stop) only when I’m dead. That’s true. I will not stop. I’d rather die than stop riding. If you do not have happiness anymore…you’re better off dead.]
Duterte’s lifelong passion for motorcycles has left him with saddled with health issues.
In October, Duterte figured in an accident that prompted him to cut short his Japan visit after complaining of “unbearable” back pain.
Saying nightly prayers for the Philippines
Duterte, who was once criticized for calling God stupid, also claimed that he prays for the betterment of the Philippines every night.
“Hindi na ako nagdadasal para sa sarili ko, para sa bayan ko lang (I’m not praying for myself anymore. I’m praying only for my country now),” he said.
Duterte has received fierce criticisms from the public due to his controversial tirades aimed at the Catholic Church officials.
He even claimed that he was molested by a priest when he was a young student.
