Duterte: Consider me for vice presidency ‘to maintain equilibrium’
MANILA, Philippines — While admitting that floating his possible vice presidential bid as just “posturing,” President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that he can be considered a serious candidate for the position at this time “to maintain equilibrium.”
“Posturing yan e, political posturing so that they would not treat you badly kasi paalis na ako e,” Duterte said during the inauguration of the Light Rail Transit 2 East Extension Project when asked of his plans to run for vice president.
(That’s political posturing so that they would not treat you badly since I’m already an outgoing official.)
“Maybe at this time, you can say that maybe para to maintain the equilibrium sa lahat, consider me a candidate for the vice presidency at this time,” he went on.
(Maybe at this time, to maintain equilibrium for all, consider me a candidate for the vice presidency at this time.)
Still, Duterte stressed that he had promised to support House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez should the lawmaker decide to pursue the vice presidency.
“So if Romualdez would hang on to that commitment, sabi ko nga if there is space lang. E kung wala…” Duterte said.
(So if Romualdez would hang on to that commitment, then let it be. Just like what I said, if there’s only space. But if not, then that’s it.)
READ: Duterte on 2022 VP race: ‘If there’s space for me there, then maybe’
Even so, the President floated plans should he really run for vice president and win.
“Ngayon kung tatakbo ako ng vice president, manalo ako, kung hindi ko kaalyado yang presidente, all I have to do is to join the military and the police in the fight against crime, drugs especially, criminality and all.And also, maybe go around the Asean countries for a more cohesive relation between them kasi wala na ako,” he said.
(If I run for vice president and win and the president is not my ally, all I have to do is join the military and police in the fight against crime, drugs and all. And also, maybe go around the Asean countries for a more cohesive relation between them.)
