Duterte says he can’t imagine living without Viagra

By: 10 years ago

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

DAVAO CITY—He could not imagine what life would be without the little blue pill that took the men’s world by storm in 1998.

Speaking with a poker-faced seriousness, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he was thankful for Viagra and might give Pfizer, the drug manufacturer, an award in the upcoming Kadayawan.

“I will give Pfizer an award,” Duterte said on Wednesday during the nationwide gathering of the Philippine Councilors League at the SMX Convention Center here.

He said the sex enhancement pill, generically known as sildenafil citrate, had helped many men, especially the elderly, maintain a sex life.

“Before, when our fathers and brothers reached their 50s, you’re only up to there. But now, even when we reach 60s and 70s, thanks to the brilliance of Pfizer, life has been extended,” Duterte said, drawing chuckles from the 2,500 councilors attending the convention.

“I can’t imagine life without Viagra,” said the mayor, who continued to deny he is running for President in the 2016 elections.

It was not the first time that the mayor spoke about Viagra or about his personal life before a big gathering of people.

Even after the paid advertisement of himself talking about Davao’s success story and how it can possibly be replicated nationwide was played to introduce him to the forum, Duterte denied he is running for President.

Duterte has been open about his relationship with other women, arguing that he is single because he was separated from his wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Zimmerman is mother to Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and former Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The 70-year-old mayor, who is being touted as a presidential contender, has fathered two other children by two different women.

Duterte is currently touring the country for a federalism campaign which he and his supporters deny is a form of preparation for a presidential campaign.

The tough-talking mayor has drawn the ire of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and former Human Rights Commissioner Etta Rosales for his statements calling on an ironfist treatment of criminals.

“Kill them all,” said Duterte recently in his TV program, referring to how he would deal with criminals if he became President. Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao