By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte said he would be "happy to step down” amid the filing of a quo warranto against him before the Supreme Court.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
At the Office of the Solicitor General's 117th anniversary celebration last Tuesday, the President seemed unperturbed by the case filed by lawyer Elly Pamatong seeking his removal from office, saying he was ready to accept his destiny.
"May problema ako kasi ang balita ko sa Supreme Court ready na daw 'yung decision sa quo warranto at I'm also due for ouster kagaya ni --- 'yung finile ni Pamatong ," Duterte said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
"Ah di bale uuwi na lang ako sa amin . I would be happy to step down," he added.
The Supreme Court recently ordered the President to comment on the quo warranto petition filed against him. The complaint was filed by Pamatong on allegations Duterte's certificate of candidacy during the 2016 presidential elections was illegal.
Duterte however rebuffed the ouster moves against him, insisting he was ready to leave his post.
"Kung warranto, delikado rin ako kay Pamatong. Patong-patong ‘yang problema natin pero sige lang. Kung hanggang diyan lang ako, I live my destiny. So hanggang diyan lang ako, hanggang diyan lang ako ," he said.
"Kung pabalikin mo ako, I really do not know. I would not want to betray also those who have kept faith in me. Pero gusto kong sabihin na kung ‘yan lang takot-takotin ako ng oust, kaligaya ko na lang ," he added.