Duterte said this in a taped briefing on the COVID-19 response that aired early on Thursday after Tugade presented projects that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had accomplished in the last five years.
The president praised him saying, partly in Filipino: “You are one of the top performers. Now this is just an opinion, without any hint of politics: It would really be a waste if the government were to lose you.”
“The country needs you real bad. So, I’d like to congratulate you. We still have a few months to go. Hope you can complete the projects. And I hope you consider running for senator of the Republic of the Philippines. Sayang ka,” he added.
With the end of his term approaching, Duterte also expressed regret that his other Cabinet members would have to leave their posts.
“I feel it will be a loss, [Public Works Secretary Mark] Villar and other Cabinet members, once you are gone. We will return to five years, 10 years of just drawing [plans],” Duterte said.ng,” Duterte said.
Later in the meeting, Duterte also called his chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, a “senator.”
“It will be a waste if you”re just there on the sidelines. Filipinos will benefit from your brain,” Duterte told Panelo.