Roxas to Duterte: Get ready to rumble

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte and Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

Instead of a slapping match, Liberal Party presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday challenged Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to a fistfight.

“Gawin mo na lang kung anong gusto mong gawin. At sampalan? Bakit pa sampalan, pambabae ‘yan, suntukan na lang, ‘di ba? Simpleng-simple lang ito,” Roxas told reporters in an ambush interview in Cubao, Quezon City.

Duterte had earlier said that he would slap Roxas should their paths cross after the former Interior secretary said Davao City’s low crime rate was a “myth.”

The tough-talking mayor hit back at Roxas, saying it was his economics degree from Wharton, which is a myth.

Roxas then dared Duterte to slap him if he could prove that his Wharton degree is fake.

READ: Roxas to Duterte: Slap me if you can prove my Wharton degree is fake

Without backing down, Duterte said he was ready to go to Araneta in Cubao for their slapping match.

Roxas, who gave his address in Cubao, said he would wait for the mayor.

“Lahat itong mga sinasabi mo sampalan, ganun-ganun, anong kinalaman niyan sa buhay ng 100 million Filipinos? Anong kinalaman niyan sa kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng ating bansa? Sa dami ng problema na hinaharap ng ating bansa, ikaw nauuwi ka sa kung ano-anong mga kalokohan,” Roxas said.

He said he would just focus on issues, adding that he was against bullies and would always uphold the rule of law.

Duterte has been known in Davao City for his iron-clad leadership. JE/AC