Senator Richard Gordon on Friday said he believes the next leader of the Philippines should bear in mind that the presidency must be earned and not inherited.
Gordon said this was an advise he gave out to other political leaders in the past like former President Benigno Aquino III.
“Remember I told Mr. Aquino (then), you cannot inherit the presidency. You have to earn it,” Gordon said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.
Asked if he believes that a Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio can be likened to “inheriting the presidency” or a political dynasty, the senator replied in the affirmative.
“Well, both. She can run,” Gordon said of the President’s daughter.
“Yes. We think people do decide but guns, goons and golds still decide. They’re influential,” he stressed.
“And at the same time people will always ‘anak ng Presidente yan, di papatalo ng presidente yan (that’s the child of the President, she won’t accept defeat),” he pointed out.
That is why, at this point, Gordon said it is important for every citizen to be analytical of the political situation in the country.
“Analysis are very important these days. Ang daming paputok ng Malacanang. 'Tatakbo akong vice-president', sabi ni kwan. Now, sasabihin niya si Martin Romualdez (Malacanang has so many gimmicks. One will say, ‘I will run for vice president,’ one will say. Now, he will say Martin Romualdez should),” Gordon said referring to President Duterte’s latest pronouncements.
“Tapos si Pacquiao, hindi pupuwede. Tatanggalin namin si Pacquiao. Kawawa naman si Pacquiao (Then they’re discouraging Pacquiao. They want to remove Pacquiao. I feel bad for Pacquiao),” he noted.
That is why, Gordon said voters should closely follow the movements of those who are running in next year’s elections.
“It is also the duty of every citizen to see to it that he doesn't vote (based) on whim, caprice or winnability...We must pick the best and right candidate to make sure that we have a great, great country,” the senator said.