Duterte hits back at Roxas, says Wharton cred is a myth

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has said the claim of Liberal Party presidential bet Mar Roxas that he graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is a myth.

Duterte also warned voters that Roxas “cannot handle stress,” as the former interior secretary had shown in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

“So, I’m telling the Filipino people, huwag silang magkamali (they should not commit a mistake),” said Duterte, who was apparently irked by Roxas’ earlier statement that the peace and order in Davao City was a myth.

“He said that the peace and order in Davao city is a myth. I’d like to ask the presidentiable, you claim that you have graduated from the Wharton School of Economics, that is a myth,” Duterte said in his Sunday television program Gikan sa masa, para sa masa.

“You did not graduate from the Wharton School of Economics, Mr. Roxas,” he said.

“Your name is not on the list of those who graduated from a four or five-year degree courses, ask Wharton,” Duterte said.

He said he could easily believe if Roxas enrolled in a three-month or a correspondence course, but not a four-year degree course, where Roxas graduated, wearing a toga.

“Show me (an image) of you wearing a toga at Wharton, with your mother on your graduation,” Duterte dared.

“Besides, it’s not for you to say that (Davao city’s peace and order is a myth). It’s for the Davaoeños to say what it is all about, I never claimed to be the author,” he added.

He also dared Roxas to take a survey among the police at Camp Crame about the crime incidence in Davao City, and if he were to be proven wrong, he would withdraw his candidacy and campaign for Roxas for the presidency.

“I thought you were the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Governments) Secretary, ikaw ang may hawak sa police (the police is under your wing),” Duterte said.

“You’re supposed to know it, you have the records. So, either binola ka ng police mo or you’re treated like a trash by the police,” he said.  Duterte also said he had seen Roxas buckled under stress when confronted by a catastrophe as devastating as Typhoon Yolanda.

“I was there on day two,” Duterte said, “Roxas, you cannot handle stress and I’m telling the Filipino people, huwag silang magkamali (they should not make the mistake).”  SFM

RELATED VIDEO