By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte said he has not yet seen any potential presidential contender among the country’s new crop of politicians.
The President made the remarks after declaring that a president must know how to kill and not be afraid to die at the oath-taking of new officials in Malacañang Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte, elected in 2016 on a promise to combat illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption, will end his six-year term in 2022 and is ineligible for reelection.
"Ang tatanda na natin (We are getting old). We are just a heartbeat away pag huminto itong pitik dito sa... (if the heartbeat stops) we're getting old and the young are there," he said in his remarks.
"Wala pa akong nakita sa new crop of politicians dito sa ating bayan. Frankly, wala akong nakita. Wala akong nakita na puwede talaga maging presidente (I have not seen from the new crop of politicians in the country. Frankly, I have not seen anyone who can be president)."
Duterte also gave advice to persons eyeing the presidency, saying they should be ready to kill. He said nothing will happen to the country if the president is afraid to take such an action.
"Alam mo sa totoo lang, presidente ka, hindi ka marunong pumatay at takot kang mamatay, eh huwag ka na mag-presidente. Walang mangyari sa iyo. Walang mangyari sa bayan (If you're the president and you don't know how to kill and you're afraid to die, don't run for president. Nothing will happen to you. Nothing will happen to the country)," he said.
Duterte also claimed that a president must know how to take matters into their hands."Kung puro utos ka lang, in the end, ikaw pa 'yung kontrabida. Ikaw na ‘yung gumawa para ikaw talaga ang bida (If you just issue orders, in the end you're the villain. If you take action, you're the hero)."
At the same event, Duterte took the opportunity to defend his strong anti-drug campaign, saying he is merely trying to protect the Filipino nation. He insisted that he would kill those who will destroy the country with illegal drugs.
"That’s why I am scared. I’m scared for the next generation. Iyong mga apo natin, ‘yon ang pinoprotektahan ko (I'm trying to protect our grandchildren)," he said.
"I’m trying to protect the generations of Filipinos especially ‘yung next batch, itong mga anak natin (the next batch, our children)."
Duterte said he hopes the new government officials will rally behind his campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.
"Allow me to take this opportunity to enjoin each one of you to remain committed in pursuing the country’s development agenda. I look forward to having all of you as partners of the national government in its efforts to intensify our fight against illegal drugs, criminality, terrorism, climate change, health emergencies, and other societal ills,” he said.