WATCH: Duterte-Remulla closed-door meeting
Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla met on Friday to “forge an alliance to support each other” for the May 9 national elections.
“We have forged an alliance to support each other and after the elections,” Duterte told reporters in an ambush interview after their meeting at a Pasay City restaurant.
READ: Duterte says Binay ally Remulla now supports him
INQUIRER.net witnessed the closed-door meeting between the two parties when Remulla expressed his support for Duterte.
The two shook hands before local officials from the vote-rich province of Cavite.
“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.”
The tough-talking mayor explained how Filipinos are already fed up with the government which 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 because I am I, ‘di nga nila ako kilala before this campaign, pero ang tao talagang galit sa gobyerno,” he said.
(Help me [in my campaign]… the way people are receiving me, not because I am I, they didn’t even know me before this campaign, but the people are really angry at the government.)
He noted the people’s dissatisfaction over 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.
(So when you see the people’s clamor, it’s not about me. It’s about their fed up emotions that the government hasn’t done anything for the people. The social aspect of the government has deteriorated.)
Duterte also talked about the rising criminality and illegal drugs in the country, which he said were becoming threats to national security.
“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, Ombudsman and Human Rights not to impede me because this is a serious matter already that affects the national security. If you impede, obstruct or investigate me… I don’t want it but if you like, it’s up to you.)
If he wins the presidency, he said 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, drawing laughter from the local officials.
(The president has the power to grant pardon [that’s why if elected], I could issue even up to a thousand pardons a day. It’s in the Constitution, the president has the power to grant pardon, conditional or absolute or amnesty. Period. There was no stated exception to himself. I would grant pardon to myself when I step down.)
After their meeting, Remulla did not grant any media interview to confirm their alliance.
However, his older brother, Former Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who is running for governor, had confirmed reports that his family, along with several Cavite officials, was supporting Duterte.
The older Remulla said Duterte would “win big” in the vote-rich province. RAM
READ: Remullas drop Binay, vow big win for Duterte in Cavite
