By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has endorsed the senatorial bid of his "friend" folk singer Freddie Aguilar in the 2019 elections.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte raises the hand of singer Freddie Aguilar on the sidelines of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) inauguration in Parañaque City on November 5, 2018. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he hopes that voters would support Aguilar in the senatorial polls, citing he was an "exemplary nationalist" and a "brilliant" man.
Duterte made the remarks after Aguilar performed a song about the life of overseas Filipino workers during Wednesday’s inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), a state-of-the-art transportation hub located along Coastal Road.
"Freddie is running for senator. Wala akong hilingin sa inyo kung hindi just consider . He is a brilliant man,” the President said.
“Ako nakikiusap, tutal dose man yan. Ibigay niyo sa isang nationalist, sa isang taong nagmamahal sa bayan ," he added.
Duterte said he believes Aguilar could help the country, citing that his songs carry a "social message."
"Tulungan natin si Freddie because he is one exemplary nationalist guy. And do not ever think that Tagalog lang ‘yan. He is my friend. He is a brilliant guy. He can talk and he can help the country," he added.
Aguilar filed his certificate of candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections last month. He claimed that he was running under the ruling PDP-Laban party.
The administration party, however, has reportedly disowned Aguilar as one of its senatorial bets.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte raises the hand of singer Freddie Aguilar on the sidelines of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) inauguration in Parañaque City on November 5, 2018. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he hopes that voters would support Aguilar in the senatorial polls, citing he was an "exemplary nationalist" and a "brilliant" man.
Duterte made the remarks after Aguilar performed a song about the life of overseas Filipino workers during Wednesday’s inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), a state-of-the-art transportation hub located along Coastal Road.
"Freddie is running for senator. Wala akong hilingin sa inyo kung hindi just consider . He is a brilliant man,” the President said.
“Ako nakikiusap, tutal dose man yan. Ibigay niyo sa isang nationalist, sa isang taong nagmamahal sa bayan ," he added.
Duterte said he believes Aguilar could help the country, citing that his songs carry a "social message."
"Tulungan natin si Freddie because he is one exemplary nationalist guy. And do not ever think that Tagalog lang ‘yan. He is my friend. He is a brilliant guy. He can talk and he can help the country," he added.
Aguilar filed his certificate of candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections last month. He claimed that he was running under the ruling PDP-Laban party.
The administration party, however, has reportedly disowned Aguilar as one of its senatorial bets.