By Katrina Gracia Consebido
Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar reiterated on Tuesday, April 19, that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not endorse any presidential candidate for the May 9 polls.
“Narinig po natin kagabi sa Talk to the People ng ating pangulo na sinabi nya na wala syang sinusuportahang kandidato sa pagkapresidente at neutral po ang ating pangulo,” Andanar said in a public virtual briefing.
In his Talk to the People address on Monday, April 18, Duterte stressed he would rather “stay neutral” until the last leg of the campaign to let the public see peace and orderliness in the upcoming elections.
“There must be peace, there must be law and order. Ang pangako namin sa lahat, sa inyo, is that the reason why I refuse to choose a particular candidate to support was simply para makita ng tao na neutral ako,” Duterte said.
Duterte also urged other political parties to stay neutral in supporting other candidates and avoid any form of intimidation and violence during campaigns.
“We will not countenance or allow ‘yung disorder nor intimidation, nor violence.”
Duterte said that the remaining days of his term will be dedicated to keeping the country in order. – gb
