MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he will name the “most corrupt” presidential candidate before the national elections, adding that it is his obligation to inform Filipinos of the things he knew to help them with their decision.
During his Talk to the People briefing aired Tuesday, Duterte said his move is not a form of politicking, but rather merely informing the public of what he knows based on the information he received and his own personal experience.
“In due time… I will personally name the candidates and maybe what’s wrong with them na kailangang malaman ng tao because you are electing the president. Sino yung pinaka-corrupt na kandidato (People had to know this because they are electing a president, who is the most corrupt candidate),” Duterte said.
“Hindi ako namumulitika (I am not politicking); I’m talking to you as your president… Ito kailangan ilalabas ko (I need to bring this out) because we are talking of elections. We are talking of our country and the next rulers so to say,” he added.
Duterte said one of the candidates “really cannot be a president” while another candidate can be elected president, but is “too corrupt.”
“Akala lang kasi ng mga tao malinis pero ‘yung mga nag-transact sa business sa kanya, mga official business, pati yung mga Chinese nagreklamo na na masyadong corrupt daw,” Duterte said.
(People thought that candidate is unblemished but those businessmen who has had official transactions with this candidate, even the Chinese are complaining of so much corruption.)
“Sabi ko, ang magagawa ko is to charge him for corruption (So I said that what I can do is charge him for corruption). Could be under the Revised Penal Code, it could be under Corrupt Practices Act,” he added.
Duterte did not mention any name during his talk, but repeatedly stressed that he is not doing it to personally attack a candidate.
“Nakita ko lang. Hindi ako nagsabi na marunong ako. From observation, parang taong nakainom. Malaman mo, medya sumobra siya sa limit ng botelya na kaya nya. Tapos mag-away, tapos magtapang magsalita, masakit. Akala niya may utang ang tao sa kanya, ganun yan eh,” Duterte said.
(I have seen it. I’m not saying that I am better. From my observation, it seemed like this person is drunk. You can see that this person exceeded the limit of bottles that this person can take. Then this person speaks forcefully, hurtful. This person thought the public owes a lot.)
“Sabagay, opportunity comes your way, you jump on it. Maybe baka, maybe it’s your destiny to be a president of the republic,” he added.
‘Believe me or don’t’
It is not yet clear when Duterte will name the candidate. However, he said it will be up to the Filipinos whether they will believe him or not with whatever he will disclose.
“Ito bahala na kayo (It’s up to you), if you want to believe in me, if you still believe me, I will tell you. But if you reject it at ayaw ninyong maniwala, ang masasabi ko lang, bahala kayo (if you don’t want to believe, what I can tell you is that it’s your choice). Besides, it’s also your country, it’s not only mine,” Duterte said.
“Kailangan may malaman kayo na alam ko na hindi ninyo alam (You have to know what I know). Why? Because I am the president and I get all information from everybody, and not only that, [also] from personal experience,” he added.
Duterte said it is still “too early” for him to talk.
“Maraming nagtatanong, bakit ako hindi nagsasalita. Maaga pa eh. Gawin lang nilang pulutan ‘yung kalaban tapos siyempre ako yung reference point nila,” Duterte said.
(So many people are asking, why am I keeping mum? It’s still too early. Other candidates will just use this and I will of course be their reference point.)
“Pati ako madala sa galit. Mahirap din yan kasi ayaw mo ng away eh. Mag-retire na ako, tahimik na ang buhay ko (I might get dragged into it. That would be hard because I don’t want to get into their fight. I am retiring, already looking forward to a more peaceful life). But I feel that there are things I would have to reveal to the Filipino people because it’s my job to tell the truth,” he added.