As he nears the last quarter of his six-year term, President Duterte said that his successor should be a lawyer who is compassionate, decisive, and a good judge of character.
In an interview with his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte said he thought the people should look for these qualities when casting their vote in the upcoming elections on May 9.
"Ako 'yan, pero hindi ko sinasabi na pinipilit 'yan. Kung maniwala lang kayo (That's just me, I'm not imposing that on anybody. If you would just hear me out)," he said Saturday, March 12.
According to the President, his successor should be a compassionate one.
"Yung para sa tao talaga (Someone who will really work for the people)," he said.
"You must love the human being. Kailangan mahal mo talaga ang kapwa mo tao. Maski na marami nang sugat (You really have to love your fellowmen. Even though you're wounded all over), there's pus everywhere," he added.
Duterte said the next president should also be decisive, but he wished they would be a lawyer.
"'Wag kang matakot (Don't be afraid.). It's the best quality. But of the good qualities of the president, sana abogado (I wish they're a lawyer)," he said.
"Isang tingin mo lang maka-decide ka kaagad and the repercussions alam mo na kung ano (Even with just one look, you can decide and know what the repercussions are)," he added.
Lastly, the President said the next chief executive should be a good judge of character so that the government will function well.
"He must be a good judge of tao (character). Kailan mo malaman na bolador (You must know when a person is just playing you)," Duterte said.
"Magkuha ka (When you get people), you're able to delegate these powers because you know their character," he added.
President Duterte has not endorsed any presidential candidate for the May 2022 polls, and Malacañang said he might "stay neutral" up to the last minute.
On March 10, Communications Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said Duterte is working hard to ensure the smooth transition of power to his successor in the Palace so that the next chief executive will not have a hard time dealing with the challenges that face the country.
“Gagawin ng Pangulo ang lahat para ang transition ay smooth at hindi mahirapan ang susunod na gobyerno na harapin ang mga bagong hamon (The President will do everything to ensure a smooth transition so that the next administration will not have a hard time facing the new challenges),” he told Super Radyo DZBB.
“Iyong mga hamon na nanggagaling sa... iyong mga external factors katulad ng giyera sa ibang bansa na nakakaapekto sa ating ekonomiya (The challenges caused by external factors like the war in other countries that affect our economy),” he added.
President Duterte said last month that he has been preparing to leave Malacañang, the official residence of the Philippine president. He said he has been packing his belongings to move out by March, months before his term ends on June 30.