Former President Fidel V. Ramos, now 87, showed strength despite his age by doing 31 push-ups in front of the media on Thursday after being asked if he supported Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for president.
Ramos was at Camp Aguinaldo for the launch of the fundraising for the orphans of the 44 Special Action Force policemen who died in an antiterror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25 and other servicemen who died in battle.
Ramos was the founder of the SAF in 1983 when he was head of the defunct Philippine Constabulary.
Asked if he supported any presidential bets for next year’s elections, Ramos told the media, “none of the above.”
Later, he asked three SAF members to do push-ups.
“For your information, the Davao City mayor can do 30. I can do 31,” Ramos said, calling the policemen to join him do the push-ups. “Du30” is one of Duterte’s nicknames for the elections.
Pressed for an answer, Ramos refused to comment and instead said in jest: “Let’s go for the younger ones. Younger than me.”
‘People, world changing’
The former president acknowledges that Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is supporting Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s vice presidential bid.
Enrile was present at Marcos’ formal announcement of candidacy last Saturday.
In 1986, both Enrile and Ramos withdrew support from the younger Marcos’ father, the late president and former dictator.
“The world is changing and sana naman pati yung saligang batas baguhin. People are changing, the world is changing. The environment is changing. I am changing,” he said. Frances Mangosing/RC