Duterte: No politics, just strictly work

DAVAO CITY — It’s strictly work.

And no politics too, stressed this city’s feisty mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, in explaining why he took on the job of being President Arroyo’s special consultant on public order and security matters.

"I have never discussed politics with the President in my work as adviser. Politics is out of the question here," he said.

Being an adviser, he said, does not mean he’s throwing his political support behind Mrs. Arroyo.

In the past, Duterte had rejected offers to become interior and local government secretary and Customs commissioner by former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.

This, even if he is a close friend of Estrada who, he admitted, he visited at Veterans Hospital in Quezon City last week while mulling Mrs. Arroyo’s offer.

"I told Mr. Estrada what I was going to do, and he said it was good for me to be of help although he warned me of a snake pit in the Palace," Duterte said.

As special consultant, he will report directly to the President, through Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo. Malacañang is reportedly drafting a document delineating Duterte’s role and functions.

The President’s move to enlist Duterte is reportedly part of her bid to win the support of Mindanao leaders identified with Estrada. Mindanao is considered to be the former president’s bailiwick.

Earlier, Mrs. Arroyo succeeded in getting the support of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano. "Ako’y iyung-iyo (I’m all yours), Madame President," declared Emano during the Fourth Mindanao Food Congress last April.

Mrs. Arroyo is said to touching base with former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino and his wife, former Rep. Lualhati Antonino, both staunch Estrada allies.