Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he has “forged an alliance” with Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla.
“We have forged an alliance to support each other and after the elections,” Duterte told reporters after a luncheon meeting with Remulla in Pasay City.
Duterte, however, clarified he and Remulla did not enter into any promise.
“Walang promises, ganun, ano ‘yan samin e, there’s a certain thing called pwersa sa mga pulitiko so ‘yung lalaking lalaki ka pagka nag-ala mano sayo at sabing, ‘Padre, magsama na tayo,’ that’s’ it,” he said.
(We made no promises, it was enough for us male politicians to enter into an agreement just by shaking our hands and with just the words “let’s join forces.”)
INQUIRER.net witnessed the closed-door meeting between the two parties when Remulla expressed his support for Duterte.
“Kasama niyo ko sa pagkakampanya niyo (I will be with you in your campaign),” said Remulla.
Duterte then responded saying “For a better Philippines. And you will not regret it.”
Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte forges an alliance with Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net
The two then shook hands.
Work together
The tough-talking local executive assured Remulla and the local executives that they would work together.
“I am sure we can always work together. Maasahan niyo ako. Basta sa performance of duty wala kayong problema. Sabihin ko, lalo na sa peace and order wala kayong problema sa akin (You can count on me. If it concerns performance of duty, you will have no problem. When it comes to peace and order, you will have no problem with me),” he said.
He told the officials that Filipinos are already fed up with the government which he said has done nothing for the people.
“Basta tulungan niyo lang ako dito sa…alam niyo ang gusto talaga ng tao, the way people are receiving me, not becuase I am I, ‘di nga nila ako kilala before this campaign, pero ang tao talagang galit sa gobyerno,” he said.
(Just work with me…you know what the people want, the way people are receiving me is not because I am I—they did not even know me before the campaign started—but because they are upset with the government.)
He said the people have noted the deterioration of the government’s social services.
“Kaya pag makikita ko ‘yung sigaw nila (people), it’s not about me. It’s about yung fed up emotions nila na walang nagawa ang gobyerno. Nag-deteriorate na yung social aspect ng gobyerno,” he said.
(When the people see me and scream my name, it’s not about me. It’s about their being fed up with the government’s lack of action. The government’s social aspect has deteriorated.)
He said the country’s problem with drugs and criminality has become a national security threat.
“Ako talaga sabihin ko sa Congress, sa Ombudsman, Human Rights, ‘wag ninyo ako barahin because this is a serious matter already that affects the national security. If you impede, obstruct imbestigahan or…ako ayaw ko pero pag gusto niyo bahala kayo,” he said.
(I will tell the Congress, the Ombudsman, the (Commission) of Human Rights not to block me because this is a serious matter that affects national security. I don’t want you impeding, obstructing or impeding me, but if you want to, then it’s up to you.)
Pardon, impoeachment
He said that if he wins the presidency, he could issue even up to a thousand pardons a day.
“Power ng presidente magpardon e ‘di mag-pardon ako ng isang libo isang araw. Nasa constitution, presidente may power, grant pardon conditional or absolute or amnesty. Period. Di naman sinasabi except to himself. Pati ako paglabas ko pardon ko sarili ko,” he said.
(The president has the power to grant pardon, then I will grant 1000 pardons a day. The constitution states that the president has the power to grant pardon, whether conditional or absolute, or amnesty. Period. It does not say “except to himself.” I will also pardon myself then.)
With accuser Senator Antonio Trillanes publicly stating that he will use Duterte’s alleged hidden wealth to have him impeached if he wins the presidency, the mayor said in jest that Congress could impeach him at the last month of his term.
“Pag tinanong ako hg Kongreso, (sasabihin ko) ‘wag na kayo makialam, i-impeach niyo ako sa last month ko pagkapresidente para dirediretso na. ‘Di ko na barabarahin, go,” he said.
(If Congress asks me, I will tell them not to get in the way, to impeach me on my last month as president. I will not oppose them.)
If elected president, he said everyone would get a fair share of government resources.
“Ako basta ganito, nagtulong sa akin na mga financer ko, legal, proper. Pag di ka nagtulong, legal, proper. Tsaka sama sama tau. I mean, I would really be fair sa resources. Hati talaga,” he said.
(My financers have helped me in legal and proper ways. We are all in this together. I mean, I would really be fair in the distribution of resources. Everyone will have his equal share.)
After the meeting, Remulla did not grant any media interview to confirm their alliance.
Remulla is a known stalwart of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Duterte’s rival.
Cavite is the province with the second highest number of votes in the Philippines with 1.84 million registered voters according to the Commission on Elections.
In an interview in Pangasinan prior to the final presidential debate last weekend, Binay said that he and Remulla remained “best friends” despite speculation that the latter had already shifted allegiance.
“Friends! The best of friends! ‘Di ba nga si Governor Jonvic ay gagawin ko pa ngang Secretary of the Interior (Didn’t I say that I would appoint Governor Jonvic as Interior Secretary)?” Binay said. IDL/RGA
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