Duterte: Five presidents from now, PH might have improved standard of living

FILE PHOTO: Rizal Monument ‪in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Philippine Daily Inquirer/:Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ standard of living may become better after the term of five presidents, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In an interview on Sonshine Media Network International that aired Friday, Duterte said such a future may be attained as long as the country’s leaders would not be corrupt.

“We are really a poor country. By any standard, as compared to the others, we are poor. But somehow, five generations – five presidents from now, we might be able really to raise the standard of living sa Pilipinas (in the Philippines),” he said.

“We will reach there as long as ‘yung mga leader natin (our leaders) – mahirap kasi ‘yung corruption (corruption is difficult). Stealing money from or into corruption, mahirap (it is difficult),” the chief executive added.

Duterte maintained in the same interview that he will not endorse any presidential candidate in the May 9 polls.

“Realistic tayo dito sa – andiyan naman ‘yung mga ano mamili na lang kayo. Ako wala akong kandidato pagka-presidente. I said it before, I will say it again for everybody to hear me, lalo na dito. I am not supporting any person as president, a candidate,” he said.

(Let’s be realistic – the candidates are there, just choose. I do not have a candidate for president. I said it before, I will say it again for everybody to hear me, especially here. I am not supporting any person as president, a candidate.)

Based on research released in 2021 by data aggregator iPrice Group, the country’s capital city, Manila, is one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in.

READ: Manila is Southeast Asia’s 3rd most expensive city to live in, study shows

This, even if Manila has the lowest average salary for the working class relative to peers in Southeast Asia, iPrice Group noted.

KGA