By Genalyn Kabiling
Almost three years into his term, President Duterte is now willing to work with his political opponents to advance the country's interests.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Committee (MRRD-NECC) National Convention at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on March 21, 2018.
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President has offered a "partnership" to rival political parties for the sake of the nation, saying nothing will happen if they would always bicker.
"Kalimutan na natin ‘yung mga partido-partido. Partnership na lang tayo ," Duterte said during an assembly of supporters at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last Wednesday night.
"Kasi kung mag-ano tayo walang mangyari eh. Mag-distance kayo eh kasi ‘yung isa, malapit ‘yung isa. Huwag na lang yan. Tulungan na lang tayo ," he added.
The President, chairman of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party, also made clear that he does not harbor ill will towards his opponents in the last presidential elections.
He said he does not mind if some people supported other candidates since he already won the presidency.
"Kung suportahan ako ng karamihan ng tao , I will appreciate it]," he said
"Hindi kayo tumulong sa akin, kay Binay kayo, kay Grace, wala na akong pake, kay Mar. Tapos na ‘yun. Bakit pa ba ako mag-ano diyan? Panalo na ako. Kaya ako tahimik na lang ako ," he added.
And if some rivals decide to join the administration party, the President said he welcomes such development as part of the reality of politics. He noted that PDP-Laban party used to be a "moribund party" prior to his candidacy.
"That is the culture of politics everywhere na kung sino ‘yung manalo, maglipat doon, pati ‘yung incumbent mayors because you want to help. You must be with friends with everybody, including the President, not really because you want to get something," he said.
"It’s not really opportunism, but rather that is really the politics of our times," he added.