Duterte urges voters: Look into presidential bet’s character, not popularity

Rodrigo duterte. INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday urged the people to go beyond popularity ratings and look into the real character of their choice for president in the 2016 elections.

“Don’t base your choice on popularity ratings alone,” Duterte said during his Sunday television show “Gikan sa masa, para sa masa.”

“This is not a popularity contest,” he added.”

He said people should see to it that their candidate for president have the three basic criteria: “Will he steal? Is he competent to run the country? Does he have the passion?”

Duterte, however, refused to name names, saying all three prospective candidates for president might have passed these criteria, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has been facing allegations of corruption that have not been proven in court.

Duterte said he would not for President in 2016 and hence, he should not be subjected to his criteria.

He said he was happy with the endorsement of President Aquino of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas because it gave the contending camps of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Grace Poe a clear picture of their opponent.

Duterte added though that he wished Roxas would improve his survey ratings.