Pimentel: Duterte must speak, act like a legitimate presidential aspirant

Senator Koko Pimentel (left) and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

If Davao City Mayor Duterte Rodrigo would run for president in 2016, then he should start acting like a “presidential aspirant” by cutting down the use of words “killing” and “death,” Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has said.

Pimentel is president of the PDP-Laban, which he said was almost 100 percent behind Duterte, a party member, should he decide to join the 2016 presidential race.

“Matagal ko nang sinabi sa mga tao ni Mayor Duterte na pakisabihan si Mayor Duterte na since he’s being seriously considered as a presidentiable (sic), to start acting like a presidentiable and speaking like a presidentiable. Kung pwedeng bawas-bawasaan na ‘yung mention ng killing, death in every sentence,” the senator said in an interview at the Senate Thursday.

(I’ve been telling his men to please tell Mayor Duterte that since he’s being seriously considered as a presidential aspirant, (he should) start acting like a presidential aspirant and speaking like a presidential aspirant. Maybe he can cut down the use of the words killing and death in every sentence)

READ: Duterte on criminals: ‘Kill all of them’ | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/693373/duterte-confirms-ties-with-davao-death-squad

“Kasi legitimate naman ang isang presidential candidate na manawagan sa re-imposition ng death penalty, legitimate ‘yung policy na ‘yun. If he really believes in the death penalty, ilagay na lang n’ya sa program of government n’ya ‘yun, na sa kalukuyan wala, he will be for the reimposition of the death penalty. Ganun dapat ang pagka-present n’ya,” he said.

(Because it’s legitimate for a presidential candidate to call for the reimposition of the death penalty, that’s a legitimate policy. If he really believes in the death penalty, then he can include it in his program of government, since we don’t have it now, that he will be for the reimposition of the death penalty. That’s how he should present it)

But Pimentel was quick to clarify that like some of his party-mates, he was not in favor of the reimposition of the capital punishment in the country.

“Ang position ko d’yan and some of my party-mates is that we’re against the death penalty pero magkasama kami sa federalism. Buong-buo kami dun,’” he said.

(My position on that and some of my party mates is that we’re against the death penalty but we are pushing for federalism. We are one on that.)

And while the party is one in pushing for federalism form of government, Pimentel said its members are split between Batangas Governor Vilma Santos and Senator Grace Poe as possible running mate of Duterte in 2016.

“Siguro ‘yung grupo nina (North Cotabato) Governor (Emmanuel( Piñol ( is for Vilma Santos), kami naman sa PDP-Laban, minention si Senator Poe,” he said.

(Maybe the group of Gov. Piñol [is for Vilma Santos]. We, in the PDP-Laban, we have mentioned Senator Poe)

READ: Duterte wants Vilma Santos for VP, names cabinet

“Pero kung makikita mo ‘yung personality ng dalawang lumulutang, these are persons who will balance his image—mga female personalities. Andito si Mayor Duterte, the macho mayor of Davao City, babalansehin ng babae na magaganada, articulate, marurunong naman, may experience pa,’ he said.

(But if you look at the personality of the two possible running mates, these are persons who will balance his image—female personalities. Here is Mayor Duterte, the macho mayor of Davao City, and alongside him are women who are beautiful, articulate, knowledgeable and experienced.)

But Duterte has yet to decide whether or not to run for president.

READ: Duterte’s decision, Aquino’s choice for 2016 to be known in June?

And while waiting for Duterte’s decision, Pimentel said the party is already thinking of raising funds for the mayor’s possible presidential bid by duplicating the “piso-piso” donation campaign in Mindanao.

“We can duplicate the effort here in Manila and the rest of the country,” he said.