Noting that "it's his job to tell the truth," President Duterte said during his latest "Talk to the People" that he would soon reveal some dirt on the presidential aspirants in the upcoming May polls.
"I will personally name the candidates and maybe what's wrong with them na kailangan malaman ng tao (that the people need to know) because you are electing a president," Duterte said in the pre-recorded public briefing, a portion of which was aired Tuesday morning, Jan. 25.
Although he didn't mention any names, he described one Palace bet as being "unworthy" of the post in Malacañang and another bet as being "too corrupt". The latter is male, according to Duterte.
But of the Palace hopefuls, Duterte said that everyone has issues "except one".
"So walang personalan to. Because obligasyon ko lang na kailangan masabi ko sa tao. Pero sa lahat ng nakikita ko, para sa akin, with except one, mayroon issue eh na hindi maganda (This is nothing personal. Because it's my obligation to tell the people. But based on what O see, for me, with the exception of one, everyone has a negative issue)," he said.
"Mayroon naman dyan na presidente pero masyadong corrupt. Akala lang kasi ng mga tao malinis pero yung mga nag-transact sa business sa kanya, official business, pati yung mga Chinese nagreklamo na na masyadong corrupt daw (There's someone there who could be president but he's too corrupt. The people think he's clean but those who have transacted with him over official business and the Chinese have complained that he's too corrupt).
"Sabi ko, ang magawa ko (I said, what I can do) is to charge him for corruption," Duterte recounted.
"Mayroon naman dito na hopelessly I think hindi dapat mag-presidente. Medyo kulang talaga, kulang na kulang. Everyday may sasabihin siya na mali o--the fundamentals of a person na gusto mag-presidente dapat. Ewan ko lang (And then there's one who hopelessly I think shouldn't be president. One that is lacking, really lacking. One that says something wrong everyday or-- the fundamentals of a person who wants to be president. I don't know)," he further teased.
Duterte said he has both personal knowledge and sources regarding his information about the "presidentiables".
This notwithstanding, the Chief Executive said he would leave it up to the electorate on whether to believe him or not.
"Kung maniwala kayo, OK man sa atin. Pero kung hindi, buti rin (If you believe me, that's OK. But if not, that's also good)...nothing at stake for me. Wala talaga akong rason bakit maghanap pa ako ng kalaban. Pwede ring mag-tahimik na lang ako para wala akong makalaban sunod na maging presidente (I really don't have a reason to look for enemies. I could keep quiet instead so that I won't be in conflict with the next president)," he said.
"Pero (But) I feel that there are things that there are things which I would have to reveal to the Filipino people because it's my job to tell the truth...Hindi ko trabaho magsinungaling (It's not my job to lie)," Duterte explained.
"Yun lang kasi marami nagtaranong bakit ako hindi nagsasalita. Hmm. Maaga pa eh...Maghintay lang, at wag mag-apura. Darating din yan (It just that a lot have been asking me why I haven't been talking. Hmm. It's too early...Just wait, and don't rush. We will get there)," he said.
The elections will take place on May 9, 2022.