HE MUST be a romantic at heart. And maybe a comedian, too.
In a no-holds-barred speech before 10,000 supporters on Sunday night in Taguig City, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte opened up about his personal life, speaking not only of having two wives but of two girlfriends, as well.
When he was younger, the 70-year-old presidential aspirant said, he would spend the whole night with his girlfriends, but since he had grown older, he could spend only “short time” with them.
The crowd apparently enjoyed his speech, cheering, applauding, laughing and at times shouting with glee.
Duterte spoke at the end of a “MAD (Musicians and Artists for Duterte) for Change” concert around 10 p.m., hours later than originally planned because he said his flight was delayed.
He said the public needed to know everything about him, including his love life and interest in women, if they want to make him President.
Fascinated with women
Duterte, who said among other things that corruption would have no place in his administration, admitted his fascination for women.
The presidential aspirant was seen greeting and approaching beautiful women as he made his way to the stage to speak, breaking security protocol.
He also had photos taken with him while women sat on his lap.
“Many are asking what my credentials are and what I can do for the Philippines,” he said when he spoke. “They are telling me that they heard I am a womanizer. That is true. That is very true.”
Two wives
Of his two wives, he said: “I have a wife who is sick. Then I have a second wife, who is from Bulacan.”
He said his second wife worked as a nurse in the United States and that she got pregnant after his frequent trips to that country, when he was still a congressman.
“I have two girlfriends. One is working as a cashier and the other works for a cosmetics store at a mall. The one working at the cosmetics store is younger. The other one is older but more beautiful.”
“If you want me to become your President, you should know everything about me,” he said, standing beside Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, the vice presidential candidate he plans to run with in the 2016 elections.
Personal money
Duterte, however, made it clear that even if he was a known ladies’ man, he didn’t use government money to support his women.
“I do not support them with the money from the government but from my own money and allowances,” Duterte said.
“I do not let them live in posh condominium units. They just stay in boardinghouses worth P1,500 a month.”
‘Younger one’
Duterte said “the younger one” once asked him for a repossessed car “but I did not agree because I told her that our travels just include trips from her boardinghouse to a hotel.”
Duterte claimed that when he was younger, he would stay overnight with a girlfriend “but now I am old, it would only be for ‘short time,’” he said, amid laughter.
Duterte drew cheers from the crowd composed mostly of his supporters from various parts of Metro Manila, like Caloocan City, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City and Taguig City.