"Kung may kandidato ka, just keep it to yourself and vote. But let us avoid endorsing any candidate so that there will be no second-guesses or implications that we are supporting this candidate or that candidate," Duterte said in his public address aired over PTV and Radyo Pilipinas on Tuesday (May 3).
Duterte said the Filipino people are expecting the government to guarantee a peaceful election.
" Importante that you are freed of the suspicion that you are for this or for that. Kasi alam mo ang presidente is president and you know…" he said.
Duterte said he urged the government to be conscious of this because everybody would be working towards this end.
" I would emphasize that the military and the police should focus on this event because we said we want an honest election, " he said.
The President said he will do everything to ensure that the election is free from violence and that people are not intimidated in any way to exercise their right to choose and vote.
"Towards attaining a clean and honest election is the reason why I am not supporting any candidate, by inference or implied or direct," he said.
He said as President, it is his Constitutional duty to see to it that everything, including the law, the rules are followed.
Meanwhile, the President said he is very liberal with the endorsement of Senatoriables since there are candidates now who should not return to the Senate due to the issue of malversation.
" I am referring to [Sen. Richard] Gordon. Kung hindi ang Presidente nag-ano ng --- hinukay ‘yung ano niya, kaso niya, he would never pay the government of the P86 million that he malversed," he said.
"Walang… Tapos ngayon, siya pa ‘yung holier than thou. Siya na ‘yung may kasalanan, siya na ang may utang, tapos pati ako dadamayin niya," Duterte added.
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