Duterte: I’d rather die than stop riding big bike

MANILA, Philippines — An avid big bike enthusiast, President Duterte said he would rather die than stop riding his motorcycles.

The 74-year-old Duterte talked about his views on life and its challenges during his speech at the birthday celebration of former senator Manny Villar in Las Piñas City on Thursday.

“When you are told that your wife loves you even though there is the big age difference…that’s another thing. That’s (part of) human experience. That’s what I see in life as I travel life this far…” he said.

Duterte has two wives, Elizabeth Zimmerman, the mother of Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, Rep. Paolo Duterte and Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte; and Honeylet Avanceña, with whom he has a teenaged daughter Kitty.

Duterte also admitted that his Barett’s esophagus disease has gone from “bad to worse.” He did not elaborate.

Duterte earlier admitted being a heavy smoker in the past which is the reason why he has the disease. 

He had stopped smoking but not riding his motorcycles.

Even with a busy schedule as President, he manages to find time to ride his motorcycle at the Malacañang complex. He suffered bruises on his left leg and arms a few months ago after a minor mishap.

If he would be deprived of enjoying his life at this point, Duterte said he might just leave ahead of everyone.  

“If that’s the way it is ….you might as well push me out of the helicopter on my way home to Davao. Anyway, I have only two years to serve as President, you can go your own,” Duterte said.

“I had a bad spill. I did not stop though someone was telling me to slow down and stop. I’d rather die than stop riding my motorcycle, It’s my joy in life. I enjoy riding my motorbike anywhere I wanted to go,” he said.

He recalled a good friend who had early dementia. He said his friend went for a ride in his motorcyle but he did not return home. He ordered the police to track down his friend, who was found wandering somewhere the province on a motorcyle.

“If that’s the case, I might reach Abra while on my bike. Don’t stop me, rather, just kill me,” he said.

Duterte said he dreads having to retire, ending up not doing anything at all after his term. 

He said he cannot run for another term, and he won’t be that busy to use his work schedule or business meeting as alibis during times when he is at home.