"Pangit na tingnan (It will not look good)."

This was one of the reasons why President Duterte turned down an invitation to go to the United States of America (USA) next month, saying he might take actions there that may not be acceptable to his successor, who will be known to the public by then.

Duterte made this statement after he revealed that he was invited to attend a special summit of the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Washington DC from May 12 to 13.

In his pre-recorded "Talk to the People" on Wednesday morning, April 27, the President said he turned down the invitation because, by that time, his successor would have already been known. The election is on May 9.

"Wala pa namang proclamation, wala pa lahat. But, alam na ng taumbayan, Pilipinas, na may Presidente na nahalal, hindi pa lang na-proclaim pa (The next president may not be proclaimed yet but the Filipinos already know)," he said.

"So sinabi ko sa kanila, pangit na tingnan kung magpunta ako doon, alam ko na may bagong presidente na (So I told them, it won't look good if I go there knowing that there is already a new president)," he added.

Duterte said if he decided to attend the Summit, he might take actions that his successor would not like.

"If it is a working conference, there might be some agreements or commitments that will be made there. Ang mahirap kasi, kung ako ang nandoon (The problem is if I went there), I might take a stand that might not be acceptable to the next administration," he said.

The public will elect the next president on May 9, 2022. Duterte remained firm that he would stay neutral and would only endorse a candidate if there was a compelling reason.

Other reasons

But the elections were not the only reason why Duterte would not go to the US. He fears getting lost and ending up in sketchy areas where he could be "killed."

"Una, mawala; pangalawa, makapasok ako sa lugar na baka makatay lang ako (One, I might get lost. Twi, I might end up in places where I could die)," he said.

"There are areas there which you cannot just easily go around galivanting just to see the place. There are so many places na delikado rin, kagaya rin sa atin. Kaya takot din ako pumunta doon (that are dangerous like here in the Philippines. That's why I'm afraid to go there)," he added.

The President said another reason was "a matter of principle" but did not go into the specifics.

"As a matter of principle-- noon pa sinasabi ko na ayaw ko. So, ayaw ko is ayaw ko. The reason is akin na lang yun (I've been saying that I don't want to go there. If I said I wouldn't go there, I won't go there. I'll keep the reason to myself)," Duterte said. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)