President Duterte is open to welcoming politicians from other parties to his camp as long as they are well intentioned and not involved in corruption.
According to Mr. Duterte, it is the practice in Philippine politics to flock to the winner’s side.
“It’s not your fault that you are with me. Because that is the culture of politics everywhere, that whoever wins, people move to his side, even the incumbent mayors, because you want to help,” he said in a speech before a gathering of his supporters in Pasay City on Wednesday.
“So sometimes, it’s not really opportunism, but rather, that is really the politics of our times,” he said.
In his case, he said he would appreciate it if he could get the support of many people, even those who campaigned for his rivals for the presidency, such as Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and Mar Roxas.
“Whether we were together, or you did not help me, you were with Binay, with Grace, I don’t care, even if you were with Mar. That’s over… I won. That’s why I keep quiet,” he said. —LEILA B. SALAVERRIA