President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said that critics of blogger and Assistant Presidential Communications Secretary Mocha Uson should respect the voters’ decision if she was elected to the Senate in 2019.
Mr. Duterte said that he was leaving it up to voters to decide after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday announced that the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan would include Uson and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in its senatorial slate for the midterm elections.
“Let the people decide. It’s not a one-man story or critique. Let the people decide. If they want it, then that’s it. It will be honored by all, including the military and the police,” the President told reporters in Davao.
“If she is chosen by Filipinos, you might not like her [and] her ways might not suit your values, but if that guy or woman is elected by the people, then you have to honor that choice,” he added.
The President said that he had also wanted Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat included in the administration’s senatorial slate.
“I want those who will help the Filipino bring down food prices and ensure that our food supply is more than enough,” he said.
Uson, who is in charge of social media for the Presidential Communications Operations Office and has 5 million followers online, said she would only run for the Senate if Mr. Duterte told her so.
“I am thankful and flattered for being considered as a possible candidate, but as of now, I have no plans on running,” Uson said.