By Genalyn Kabiling
Love him or hate him, President Duterte simply does not care.
President Rodrigo Duterte (Jansen Romero/MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he was not concerned about his popularity and instead remains focused on his work especially on combating crime, illegal drugs and corruption.
"You do not have to love me. You do not even have to like me. Wala ako diyan. Wala na ako ," Duterte said before a national assembly of councilors in Iloilo City.
"I don’t even care about the thing ‘yung rating, rating. Bigay mo sa kanila ‘yan . It does not mean anything to me at all," he added.
Duterte, who has retained good public satisfaction rating based on recent surveys, said he does not even care even if he earns a zero popularity rating during his term.
"They can give me a zero. Wala akong pakialam. Basta ako magtrabaho ," he said.
Duterte admitted that his work at the Palace was the "loneliest" job, and would not recommend anyone to take it. After his term, Duterte hinted that he was though with politics.
"Tapos na ako. Ang next nito is sementeryo na ," he said, adding that if his helicopter crashes, Vice President Leni Robredo would take his place.
On the upcoming elections, Duterte said he does not usually ask "for a favor, for a vote" but might endorse some people during the campaign.
"Baka may suportahan ako. Tingnan ko. ‘Pag hindi, mag-retire na ako permanently ," he said.