Duterte will be ‘hands-on’ president – spokesman

The next president of the country hates adulation and on his first public appearance since he took a break after the election said that he should be treated as an equal. KARLOS MANLUPIG/INQUIRER MINDANAO

PRESUMPTIVE president-elect  Rodrigo Duterte would be a “hands-on” president once he assumes office this June, his spokesman said on Monday.

“He will not only be a healing president because of the factious nature of our country. He will be a hands-on president,” Peter Laviña, Duterte’s spokesman, said in an interview with GMA 7’s State of the Nation.

Laviña said, however, Duterte is no “superman” but the tough-talking mayor has political will.

“The big difference, I think, is political will. The mayor has no vested interest to protect,” he said.

During the campaign period, Duterte vowed to stop criminality and illegal drugs within the first six months of his administration.

Asked about the people’s expectations on this promise, Lavina said Duterte would need the help of the people.

“Hindi naman siya superman (na) by himself he can do all the things, so kailangan talaga na magkaisa ang taong-bayan na suportahan ang bagong administrasyon,” he said.

Close to getting  16 million of votes, Duterte has cemented his lead in the presidential race.

“We had a good product. Talaga ang taong bayan naghahanap ng bagong leader. Yung taong-bayan, tumulong sa eleksyon na ito. It became a people powered-election campaign,” he said in explaining why Duterte swamped his rival candidates.

Duterte, who has served as Davao City mayor for more than 20 years, is known not only for his iron-fisted leadership but for his profanity-laced speeches as well.

But in previous interviews, Duterte vowed to be “prim and proper” once he assumes the presidency.

“He is now the president of the republic—highest position in the land—meron certain protocols diyan. We have to uphold the dignity of the office. Marunong namang mag-adjust si Mayor Duterte,” Laviña said.

“He can do a macro and micro style of management and he will be in a way rise to be a statesman. Hindi na ito for himself. This is for the country and the future of the Philippines,” he added.

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