President Duterte advised his critics to pray harder if they wanted him to die already, saying he would have already been out of Malacañang if he was not good at his job.
Duterte made the statement following criticisms about him not doing much over the past week while the country was still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In his weekly pre-recorded public address, the President said he was aware that his critics wanted him gone from Malacañang and they must pray hard for it to happen.
'If you want me to die early, you must pray harder," he said.
"Actually what you intend or what you would like to happen is to see me go. You want me to go and you are praying for that," he added.
Duterte said he would have been ousted from the presidency already if he was not good at his job.
"Tatagal kaya ako --- ito prangkahan tayo --- tatagal kaya ako dito sa p***** i**** puwesto na ito kung inutil ako (Let's be frank: Would I have lasted long in this position if I'm inutile)?" he asked.
"Will the military allow me to govern na ganoon pamamalakad mo, wala kang ginawa (if I'm not doing anything)?" he added.
Speculations about President Duterte's health surfaced following the cancelation of his weekly public address last week. This prompted his former aide, Sen. Christopher Go, to share photos of the President.
However, critics pointed out that instead of showing proof of life, Duterte should have shown "proof of work" during the time he was away from the public eye.