As he counts his last days as the country's president, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to those who believed in him and brought him to the presidency.

Duterte said this during his attendance at the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention 2022 in Pasay City on Wednesday, May 18.

In his speech, the President took the time to thank his supporters who allowed him to realize his desires for the country.

"Mayroon akong papasalamat rin (I want to express my gratitude). For those who believe in me and for — I am on my tail end sa presidency ko (of my presidency)," he said.

"Yung tumulong sa akin, nagsuporta all these years at ‘yung umintindi ng mga hangarin ko sa ating bayan (Those who helped me, supported me all these years and understood my desires for our country), and who have brought me, kayo, sa pagka-Presidente ko (you, to my presidency) for six years, I would like to express my gratitude sa inyo at maraming salamat po (Thank you very much)," he added.

Duterte became president in 2016 following his promise to end corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs in three to six months. Before this, he served as the mayor of Davao City for almost 23 years.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is presumed to succeed him in Malacañang after getting over 31 million votes in the May 9 elections.

Meanwhile, during the event, President Duterte lauded small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for their ability to produce countless jobs for the country's growing labor force and for their contribution to aiding the government's goal of utilizing the people's talents as well as fighting hunger and poverty.

He said his administration has always recognized SMEs as one of the backbones of the nation's economy, but the Covid-19 pandemic gravely affected the industry.

"And if the Covid-19 pandemic has emphasized anything, it is that SMEs are vulnerable to external shocks such as financial crises, disasters, and forced changes in the business movement and environment," he said.