MANILA – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte repeatedly asserts that he does not covet the presidency, but should he run and be elected, he claims that he will prioritize education.
With Duterte not completely shunning the possibility of running in next year’s elections, his supporters remain hopeful. The feisty mayor clarifies, however, that even his family does not want him to seek higher office.
“I am not interested. I do not covet the position. I do not want it… The opportunity to be president is very, very small,” Duterte said at the Asia CEO Forum.
“I have this vice. I have many mistresses… My second wife also does not want me in the loop,” he added in jest.
According to Duterte, he will only consider running should there be no better choice for the position. And should he win the public vote, he plans on many reforms, including increasing salaries of teachers.
“We must all reform, including myself. If nothing happens after one year, I’ll declare a revolutionary government. Former President Corazon Aquino did it,” he said.
In the forum, Duterte also shared how he developed Davao City, making it one of the livable and peaceful cities in the world.
“Davao City is one of the most livable cities in Asia, most competitive, child-friendly, cleanest and greenest city… In Davao City, people follow the law,” he said.