Duterte: God will enlighten me, give me reason to run for president

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte (Photo from Duterte’s official Facebook page)

Amidst public calls, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte finally considered running for presidency in the coming national elections but only if God will ‘enlighten’ him and give him a ‘cause to do it.’

“This is the first time that I have mentioned the possibility of being the president. Then let me also have a taste of how you can handle people when you are in power not to harass but legally,” he said in a radio interview.

Duterte claimed that he has been seeking God’s guidance on deciding whether to seek higher office or not.

“I’ve always said that God will somehow enlighten me. I’ve been asking, I’ve been praying: ‘God, I do not like it. I do not need it. ‘Pag ginusto mo, you give me a cause to do it.’ Pero ito ngayon, well I am thinking about it, really. Pinag-iisipan ko na, na kung may sampu, o 100 people like De Lima campaigning for me, and Etta Rosales… mananalo ako niyan. Mananalo ako! Etta Rosales and De Lima will provide the edge,” he said.

(I’ve always said that God will somehow enlighten me. I’ve been asking, I’ve been praying: ‘God, I do not like it. I do not need it. If it’s your will, give me a cause to do it.’ And right now, well I am thinking about it, really. I’m thinking about it now, that if there is 10 or 100 people like De Lima campaigning for me, and Etta Rosales… I will win for sure. I will win! Etta Rosales and De Lima will provide the edge.)

“Makakita lang ako ng isang libo na pareho ng utak ni De Lima, na magkampanya laban sa akin, panalo na ako. Then I will file my certificate of candidacy. Then I will announce it now,” he added.

(If I’d just see at least 1,000 [persons] who have the same thinking as De Lima’s, who will be campaigning against me, I will surely win. Then I will file my certificate of candidacy. Then I will announce it now.”

It can be recalled that Duterte had been engaging in arguments with Justice Sec. Leila De Lima and former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Etta Rosales who wanted to make him liable for the ‘Davao Death Squad’ and the ‘sumary killings’ that took place in Davao City.

Duterte had already aired his side regarding the matter, clarifying that it was not a death squad but the ‘Davao Development System’ and that he knew nothing about the extrajudicial killings.

With or without knowledge of the squad or the massive killings, Duterte was held responsible as he was the ‘highest official in the city.’

Duterte, for his defense, pointed out that De Lima was also liable for ‘criminal neglect’ and that Rosales was answerable for infringing his right to ‘freedom of expression.’