‘Prepare a list of preferred candidates,’ PRRD urges public

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday urged voters to consider preparing a list of their preferred candidates on Election Day, saying it would be tricky to remember all their names.

During the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Caloocan City, Duterte admitted that he has been guilty of forgetting to bring a list of his preferred political bets when he voted in previous elections.

Keeping a list of names handy, he said, would prevent voters from forgetting which candidates to vote for.

“It would be good kung magdala kayo ng listahan – kung sinuman ‘yung kandidato ninyo – kunin ninyo sa sinusuportahan ninyong kandidato (It would be good to bring a list of candidates you support), either a national or local slate,” he said.

Duterte allayed fears that bringing a list of preferred candidates would put voters in a bad light.

“You know there’s a lot of people who think na masama ‘yang magdala ka ng papel. Hindi ho. It’s all right, lalo na kung magkopya ka because you cannot remember ‘pag nandoon ka na (A lot of people think that it’s bad to bring a list with you. It’s not. It’s all right to copy because you cannot remember when you are already there),” he said.

Duterte said regardless if voters want to engage in straight-ticket voting or not, having a list of preferred candidates is advisable.

“If you want to vote straight, fine; if not, then you can choose. Maglista kayo ng mga kandidato na gusto ninyo (list the candidates you prefer). It is all right to copy a list prepared by you or a sample ballot that is given to you during election time,” he added.

‘Not corrupt nor bad’

Meanwhile, the President reiterated his call to remove old-timers in the Senate who have supposedly done nothing.

“Marami diyan sa senado, matagal na, wala na namang ginagawa. From time to time, kunwari may issue magsalita. ‘Yan ang ayaw ko diyan sa mga senador ngayon. Hindi lahat, pero ‘yung iba matagal na, palitan na ninyo (Many senators have not been doing anything for a long time. From time to time, they would talk when there is an issue. That is what I dislike about senators now. Those old-timers, replace them),” he said.

He reminded voters to select political bets who have the heart to serve, noting that many candidates tend to forget about the nation and people once elected.

“Kung gusto mo lang ng ambition, manalo ka, poporma-porma but you do nothing for the six or three years that you are elected. Marami diyan sa kanila. Why don’t you just pick people na nakilala na o pinakilala sa inyo (Some only have ambition and win but do nothing for the six or three years they are elected. There are many of them. Why don’t you just pick people whom you know or have been introduced to you),” he said.

Duterte said the candidates he is endorsing possess qualities that make them deserving to be elected into office.

“Hindi ako kukuha ng kandidato na corrupt o kandidato na masama ang ugali o hambog (I will not pick corrupt candidates or candidates who have a bad attitude or are arrogant). All of them are really subdued and humble,” he added.

‘Just behave’

With the numerous reports on gun ban violations, Duterte vowed to ensure that his administration would not allow terrorism during the conduct of polls.

“Habang presidente ako (While I am president), I will not allow terrorism,” he said.

He reminded all political bets, including those under his political party, to refrain from engaging in any form of violence or coercion during elections.

“Magkapartido man tayo o hindi (Whether we are in the same party or not), you just behave. Do not terrorize the people. The elections must be free and it must be credible,” he said.

The Chief Executive also reminded candidates of the Alunan Doctrine that prohibits politicians from having more than two bodyguards, which can already be considered a private army.

He said those found violating the policy would run the risk of being arrested and prosecuted.

“Ang utos ko sa pulis pati military, pag kandidato ka, may kasama kang armado sumobra sa dalawa, it’s a private army. Hulihin mo ‘yung kandidato pati ‘yung mga bodyguard (My order to the police and military, if you are a candidate and you are accompanied by more than two armed guards, it’s a private army. Arrest the candidate and their bodyguards),” he said.

The Alunan Doctrine, which was introduced by former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III, considers two or more armed men as a private army that should be disarmed by the government.