DAVAO CITY—President elect Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night dared journalists to boycott covering him as the country’s next president.
Duterte opened his late press conference scolding the media about the corruption within their ranks.
He said the media “thinks of themselves too much” and deems their profession of “purity” even though it is riddled with corruption.
“Don’t think you’re the only field of purity,” Duterte said.
Asked about the statement of Reporters Without Borders, Duterte said the media should heed the dare.
“Magboycott kayo! Make it the first time in this country. Do not cover me!” Duterte said.
READ: Boycott Duterte’s press briefings, media watchdog urges PH journos
“Pu*** ina sinabi ko mga ugok, pu*** ina I can lose the presidency, my life, my honor. Just don’t fu** with me. Huwag niyo na akong takutin. Boycott, boycott, leche kayo, edi mag-boycott kayo!” Duterte added.
Duterte urged the media to heed the call to boycott him otherwise he would be disappointed at the reporters for failing to take up the challenge.
“As a matter of fact, I’m challenging you guys: Kill journalism. Stop journalism in this country. If you are worth your salt, you should accept the challenge. Pag hindi, mababa na ang tingin ko sa inyo. Para kayong takot,” Duterte said.
Duterte said there are three kinds of journalists in the country – the one who is a “crusader” of the truth who does not accept money, the one who is a “mouth piece of vested interests,” and the “low life journalist accepting money from illegal sources… whose greed is unlimited.”
He said the journalists who attack people in their stories also violate the person’s right to honor which has the same weight as a person’s right to life.
He clarified his earlier statement on journalist killings and said he was just being honest that a journalist should not hide behind his or her profession to be exempted from murder especially if he or she has done something wrong.
“There are vultures pretending to be journalists. Ever son of a bitch who aims to be a journalist makes money out of it. And if he is killed, he is glorified because he’s a journalist,” Duterte said.
READ: Duterte: Media corruption root cause of journalists’ killings
Duterte said the vow of journalists to pursue stories for the sake of public service and the truth is “bullshit” and that the industry is just a “paid act” to serve as a mouthpiece.
Duterte told the media not to “fuck with me.”
“I can lose the presidency anytime, I can lose my life and honor anytime. I will not die when I do not become president. So don’t fuck with me. I’m willing to draw my last card,” Duterte said.
Asked if he would apologize for his harsh statements about journalist killings, Duterte said: “No apologies, bullshit.”
“It’s better to tell the truth and agree on the truth rather than play bullshit with journalism,” Duterte said.