Duterte won’t run in 2016; cites ‘flawed system’

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has maintained that he will not run for president in the 2016 elections supposedly because of a “flawed” government setup.

In a roundtable interview with Inquirer editors, Duterte on Tuesday said he has been touring different parts of the country, particularly Mindanao, not to bolster a clamored presidential bid but to promote federalism.

“I have never thought of what I would do if I become President because I never intended to be one. Wala akong ambisyon,” Duterte said, calling the Constitution as a “well of corruption.”

“It’s because itong Constitution is really flawed. What will I do there? It’s a flawed setup. Even if you want to, mahihirapan ka,” he added.

Saying that federalism is a good setup that “will bring about changes,” Duterte maintained that he has been reaching out to Filipinos to “make connections with the locals” if the issue of federalism will become relevant in the future.

“Itong institution ng presidency, wala ka talagang magagawang tama diyan. One year na nandiyan ka, puro pagnanakaw ang ibabato sa’yo,” he said. “All the idiotic things that a president should not do, you will be doing when you are in office.”

Asked about the timing of his visits few months before the national elections, Duterte cited the timeliness of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which he said was reflective of federalism as well.

‘Don’t make me an excuse’

Amid public clamor urging him to run for president, Duterte said people should not make him an excuse if they cannot choose from potential presidential candidates.

“If you can’t choose between Grace, Mar, and Binay, then don’t make me an excuse. Why me?” he said.

Reacting to reports of talks between Nacionalista Party and PDP-Laban and a possible tandem with Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Duterte said he has never talked about the presidency with anybody.

The Davao mayor added that his popularity in preference polls will not affect his decision not to run in next year’s polls.

“If I become no. 1 tomorrow, it would not mean anything to me,” Duterte said.

“I have to overcome the objections of my family. Dalawa ang asawa ko, dalawa ang ayaw,” he added. Yuji Vincent Gonzales