‘I leave the country to you’, PRRD to Palaro athletes

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Bacolod City Government Center Football Field in Negros Occidental on April 11, 2019. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Sunday emphasized the importance of the youth in determining the future of the nation, as he led the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa here.

Speaking before 15,000 student athletes from 17 different regions at the University of the Philippines Mindanao Sports Complex, President Duterte said when his term expires, the fate of the country will be left to the hands of the younger generations.

“You are just on the wings waiting. I leave it up to you to decide someday, what you intend to do about your country.

 Inyo na yan (That will be yours),” the Chief Executive said.

Duterte’s limited time, among other reasons, is why he is working tirelessly to fight corruption and lawlessness to set up a better future for the young Filipinos.

“Remember, I will not stay forever.

In 3 years, I will be gone I will retire, you will forget me and that is good. Look forward, and not backwards,” President Duterte said. “Pag ang Pilipino, hindi makaabot ng law and order enough for our civilization to survive, baski ilang taon ang ibigay mo sa isang presidente, walang mangyari. At kung ang Pilipino ayaw huminto sa graft and corruption, ganon rin (If there is no law and order, and graft and corruption persist nothing will happen no matter how many years the President serves.) ”

Duterte added that among other qualifications in choosing the country’s future leaders, the most important quality is someone’s “heart.”

“You have so many options in a democracy, and maybe piliin na ninyo yung tao na (choose the person) who has the heart,” he said. “It could be a Muslim. It could be a Maguindanao. It could be a Tausug. It could be an Ilocano.”

Aside from corruption and lawlessness, Duterte also told the young athlete-participants to stay away from illegal drugs and turn instead to sports to develop important life skills that may later on be useful in life.

Sports, he said, is truly an effective avenue to instill among the youth essential characteristics for nation-building such as discipline, teamwork, perseverance and excellence.

“Sports also play an important role in encouraging the youth to live a healthy lifestyle and to keep them away from illegal drugs,” he added.