It’s the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy, but supporters of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte are still hoping that he will run for president in next year’s polls despite seeking reelection yesterday.
Though they were not as many as they were on Thursday, Duterte’s supporters still made their presence felt outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila Friday morning.
Ted Nuas, who volunteered to shave the heads of his fellow supporters, said there is a “big possibility” that Duterte will have a change of heart.
“Kami po ay umaasa na siya po ay mag-file bilang presidente. Malaking malaki po ang posibilidad na umatras siya sa pagka-mayor at siya po ay mag advance sa pagka-pangulo,” Nuas said.
(We are hoping that he will file for presidential candidacy. There is a big possibility that he will back out from mayoralty and that he would advance for the presidency.)
READ: Comelec: Duterte allowed to withdraw COC for reelection, file another for presidency | Duterte announces run–for mayor | It’s final: Duterte won’t run for president in 2016
Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday filed the mayor’s COC for reelection on his behalf.
But in the middle of waiting, Nuas said he and his fellow supporters respect Duterte’s decision, adding that they trust his wisdom and capacity for decision-making.
“Sa totoo lang ho, kung ano man po ‘yung naging desisyon ni Mayor Digong Duterte, malaking respeto po ang binibigay namin sa kanya dahil wala po kaming pagdududa sa kanyang decision-making. Siya po ay matalinong tao, alam niya po ang kanyang ginagawa. Pero kami po ay nandidito at nakikiusap sa kanya na irekonsidera niya ang kanyang pagtakbo hindi na bilang mayor kundi bilang presidente,” he said.
(To be honest, whatever Mayor Duterte’s decision is, our great respect for him remains because we do not doubt his decision-making [capability].)
Nuas said the shaved heads of Duterte’s supporters symbolize their clamor for a clean government.
“Siya (Duterte) lang po ang may kakayanan at will power. Wala na po siyang patutunayan, na kaya niya pong magkaroon ng malinis na gobyerno. Eto pong pagkakalbo na ginagawa namin ay simbolo po ito ng paglilinis ng gobyerno. Ang sabi nga po namin, walang kuto, walang lisa, walang balakubak,” Nuas said.
(Only he has the skill and will power. He does not have to prove that he is capable of leading a clean government. Shaving our heads is a symbol of cleaning the government. Like what we have said, no lice, no ticks, no dandruff.)
Citing the poll body’s rules, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Thursday said Duterte can still withdraw his COC for reelection as mayor and file another one for the presidency.
Duterte previously said in at least eight occasions that he will not run for president due to strong opposition from his family and a supposedly flawed government setup.
After asking for more time for “soul-searching,” Duterte apologized to his supporters last week and said anew that he will not seek the presidency.
READ: Duterte: Time to end a wild dream | No is No: Aide files Duterte’s COC for Davao City mayor
“When all is said in the wake of this decision, perhaps we could find comfort in the thought that this is indeed a beautiful day to end a wild dream,” the mayor said, adding that he may seek reelection if his daughter Sara Duterte will not agree to run as mayor.
But in an Instagram post, Sara appeared to have joined his father’s supporters in urging him to run for president after posting a photo of her sporting a shaved head.
“I shaved my head while waiting #Duterte2016 #kalboparasapagbabago #NohairWecare. While we have no money, no machinery, and risk losing, #justDUit,” Duterte’s daughter said. CDG
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