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Duterte says he is not into suing ex-presidents
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) – Laban Christmas benefit dinner for Marawi City at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on December 13, 2017, reassures that he is continuing his efforts to fulfill his campaign promises of eliminating illegal drugs, corruption and crime. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Despite facing criticisms, the President on Wednesday evening said that filing cases against a former president is not in his character, adding in jest that he prefers a gunfight to settle clashes.
“To be filing cases against a former President, hindi ko ugali ‘yang ganun (that is not my character),” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Christmas Benefit dinner for Marawi.
Duterte, in his narration, even mentioned former President Benigno Aquino III’s celebrity sister, Kris Aquino.
“As I have said earlier, even Aquino, when Kris called me na (saying) ‘Bakit (Why)…?’ Sabi ko (I said), ‘No.’ Sabi ko kay (I told) Bong, ‘yung (my) aide ko, ‘Tell Kris, I am not into it,’” he continued saying.
The President went on by mentioning how he did not get revenge on political rivals and critics that filed raps against him. He even cited the father of his nephew and Davao 1st Congressional District Representative, Karlo Nograles.
“Do you know Congressman Nograles, ‘yung (the) father, filed about nine cases against me?” he said then adding, “Ni minsan hindi ako gumanti (I did not get revenge even once).” Duterte said, referring to former speaker of the House Prospero Nograles.
Chuckling, Duterte joked that he preferred a fight than a court hearing.
“Gusto kitang patayin ‘pag makita-kita, ‘pag nagka-de-malas na, eh pagka nagkaleche-leche ang usapan natin, eh barilin lang kita. Bakit pa ako mag-f-file-file ng kaso?’ ‘Yan ang sinabi ko kay Boy. (‘I want to kill you when I see you, if our talk goes bad, I will just shoot you. Why would I even file a case?’ That is what I told Boy),” he narrated.
On early Wednesday, Duterte came to the defense of the former officials dragged in the Dengvaxia controversy, saying that if he would have done the same thing if he was in their place.
Ex-President Aquino is one of the former officials attending its probe.
