Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — “Ang demokrasya ang taumbayan ang pumipili, hindi ipinipilit yung mga kalahi niya.”
(Under a democracy, it is the people who decide. You cannot force your relatives to succeed you.)
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno had this to say Friday as he expressed the belief that government positions are not inherited amid talks of another Duterte family member running for president in the upcoming 2022 national polls.
In a television interview, Moreno was asked about his thoughts about another Duterte leading the country as speculations are rife that Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte is eyeing the presidency.
“Ayokong pangunahan ang taumbayan sa pagpili nila ng kanilang lider. But I hope they will not be called stupid later on,” Moreno said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.
(I do not want to pre-empt the public in choosing their leader. But I hope they will not be called stupid later on.)
Asked if this will not be a case of political dynasty, Moreno said: “There is presence, clear presence of political dynasty at hindi ako naniniwala na ang position sa gobyerno minamana, in a democatic govrenment.”
(There is presence, clear presence of a political dynasty but I don’t believe that a government position is inherited under a democratic government.)
“Ang demokrasya ang taumbayan ang pumipili, hindi ipinipilit yung mga kalahi nya pagkatapos na niya. Hindi ako naniniwala dyan and I am not gonna vote for that as a voter and I disagree as a citizen of this country,” Moreno said.
(In a democracy, it is the people who choose. You cannot force your relatives to succeed you. I do not believe that and I am not going to vote for that as a voter and I disagree as a citizen of this country.)
Moreno was among the names that President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned as his possible successor, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Other possible successors aside from Davao City Mayor Duterte are the President’s longtime aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and former senator Bongbong Marcos.
The possibility of another member of the Duterte family taking over the presidential seat was fueled after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said there is “no doubt” in his mind that Davao City Mayor Duterte will be running in next year’s elections.