Duterte tells supporters to stop Luneta march, choose another candidate

Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte (Photo from Duterte’s official website)

MANILA – Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte asked organizers of the proposed Luneta march and assembly to discontinue the gathering, which was supposedly aimed at persuading him to join the presidential race in next year’s national elections.

Duterte’s supporters were set to declare him as the “people’s candidate” on the planned Million People March on Saturday, September 26, at the Luneta Park.

“A very short request to the media, there is a planned assembly somewhere of a few hundred people. They want to dramatize their request for me to run for president,” he said in a press conference.

“I would like you to do me a favor this time, pakisabi lang sa lahat, ipasa ninyo ito na huwag nilang gawin sana yan kasi it would complicate matters,” he added.

(I would like you to do me a favor this time, please tell everyone, please pass this, that they no longer do that because it would complicate matters.)

The tough-talking mayor also clarified that he was not behind the proposed activity.

“Stop it. I’m not interested. I won’t be there, and I don’t want people to think I’m doble-kara (two-faced),” he said, urging his supporters to choose another presidential candidate to vote as he has already decided not to seek the country’s highest post in the coming general elections.