Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte might become a “Mayweather” in the 2016 elections if he decides to run for president, Senator Sergio Osmeña III said on Tuesday.
Osmeña was apparently referring to American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who defeated Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Representative Manny Pacquiao in a historic fight in Las Vegas last May.
“I find Duterte a very attractive candidate. Why? Because he has shown political will…” the senator said in an interview at the Senate.
“He would make the fight interesting; baka siya ang magiging Mayweather,” he said.
Osmeña also likened Duterte to a “male-Miriam,” referring to feisty Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Both, he said, are expressive.
“Yes they like him (Duterte); you know he’s like a male-Miriam,” he said.
“Alam mo si Miriam, very vocal but without an actual track-record in administration. But Duterte has always been in administration, local government since 1986 when he was appointed mayor by Tita Cory,” said the senator, referring to the late President Corazon Aquino.
In terms of personality and appeal to the masses, Osmeña said Duterte was more like former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Despite this, the senator is not about to give his endorsement yet for Duterte, who has yet to declare whether or not he’s running for president next year.
“I’ve also met with Mayor Duterte, and it’s my judgment that he’s going to be a very formidable candidate if he decides to run. Malakas siya…” he said.
And while he helped Poe during the 2013 senatorial race, the senator could not say at this point if he would still choose her over Duterte.
Osmeña, though, noted that Poe also possesses the three Cs’ — competence, charisma, and character.