By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (March 31) said he is not bent on endorsing any presidential candidate for the 2022 elections.
During the joint meeting of the National Task Force and Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-RTF-ELCAC) in Lapu-Lapu City, Duterte maintained that he remains “neutral” and has no plan to campaign for any presidential candidate.
“Let me reiterate, nandito man ang media, I am not supporting any presidential candidate. Neutral ako,” he said.
Duterte was also scheduled to attend the PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Lapu-Lapu City after the event organized by the NTF-RTF-ELCAC.
He clarified that he would not make any announcement of his preferred successor at the PDP-Laban’s campaign sortie.
“So, this is not a campaign because I am not campaigning for any particular candidate. So, stop with me kasi ano ito, hindi ito pulitika,” the Chief Executive said.
The PDP-Laban, in a resolution adopted on March 21, formally endorsed the candidacy of Marcos, said he is the “candidate whose vision of governance is most aligned with [the party’s] 11-point agenda.”
Duterte earlier said the country’s next leader should be “compassionate and decisive” and someone who is a “lawyer.”
Won’t follow poll body’s rules
Meanwhile, Duterte slammed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over its guidelines on election campaign activities.
“Kayong Comelec, do not… Huwag mong pakialaman itong trabaho ko,” he said. “Gawain lang ninyo ang trabaho ninyo. Gagawain ko ang trabaho namin. I do not cease to function effectively just because there is an election and there is a ban. Of course, that’s crazy. I will not follow you. Ako, I do not believe in you.”
Duterte added that the Comelec could not stop Filipino voters, including those who are working in government, from exercising their “basic right of freedom of expression.”
“You know, whatever the Commission on Elections would really… Tayo abogado, marami dito abogado, you cannot prevent a Filipino the basic right of freedom of expression. Hindi mo talaga ma-ano iyan. Even yung magsabi na kami mga taga-gobyerno,” he said.
The Comelec has relaxed its guidelines on in-person campaigning, following the easing of the COVID-19 protocols.
However, handshaking, as well as kissing and taking of selfies, are still prohibited during the campaign sorties. (PNA)-ngs
