CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday offered Central Visayas policemen legal and financial assistance, as he said he was looking at the possibility of retiring in Cebu after 24 years of serving Davao City as its chief executive.
He flew all the way from Davao to Cebu yesterday to speak before the mostly policemen graduates of the Executive Motorcycle Riding Course class of 2014.
He said he owns a small property in Danao City where his father came from.
“I am a Cebuano,” he told Cebu reporters, adding that after the graduation ceremonies, he would visit his relatives in Danao before flying back to Davao.
He reiterated his lack of interest in running for president of the Philippines on 2016.
“Forget about the presidency. I am not interested and I do not have the money. I do not covet it. I do not want it. I do not need it. I’m tired. Ayoko talaga (I really do not want it),” he said.
The 69-year-old mayor said he has served the public for so long already and that he is already suffering from medical conditions. He also mentioned that he has figured in a motorcycle accident in which he was injured.
He, however, is pushing for federalism, which could have been misconstrued as his attempt at a launching pad for the presidency.
Duterte pointed out that federalism is the only solution to address both the wealth-sharing disparity in the country and the insurgency problem in Mindanao.
He said that to attain lasting peace, the national government should consider changing into federal form of government instead of being “busy cutting each other’s throats.”
dismembered country. Madaliin natin ito. Somebody should focus on this problem,” he said.
He also said that if he becomes the president and could not get the reforms he wants within the six months to one year, he himself would declare a revolutionary government.
“Kung inilagay ako ng Panginoong Diyos diyan, mismo’ng unang magsisisi ang Panginoong Diyos (If the lord would place me in that position the first one to regret it is the lord),” he said.
He proceeded to say, though, that the sentence was just meant to frighten those who are pressuring him to run.
“Pangtakot lang yan para ayaw na nila. I would not sit there for six years na wala akong gagawin. Pag uupo ako diyan, may bago talaga. I won’t sit there on my ass for six years and just say that I tried my best,” he said.
Duterte said he is not running for Davao City mayor anymore, but would ask his daughter, former city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to run instead.
“I’m not getting any younger. I want to retire,” he said.
Speaking before 52 graduates yesterday, Duterte, who is also a motorcycle enthusiast, said that if police officers face charges related to their job and nobody would help them they are free to seek his assistance. He assured police officers that he would give them Davao-based lawyers and that he would even give financial assistance if need be.
“Kung walang tutulong dito sa inyo sabihin niyo sa akin tutulongan ko kayo, walang problema yan,” he told the policemen.
“Doon naman sa personal na kaso ‘wag n’yo na akong isama d’yan,” he joked.
He said that he just wanted to help the police because he sees them as partners and because they are willing to risk their lives just to serve the country and their countrymen.
He told the graduates that riding a motorcycle is no easy job and he congratulated them for a job well done.
Eighteen earned the “Medalya ng Kasanayan” (PNP Efficiency Medal) for rendering their services as course directors, training supervisors, and instructors of the two-month, 68 hours training course.
Students were given awards in recognition of their performance during the course of the training.
Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Police Regional Office 7 director, was given the “Leadership Award” for being the class marcher. The same award was given to civilian student Renato Osmeña for being the class president. Senior Superintendent Orlando Ualat, deputy regional director for administration, was given the “Best Performer Award.”
Superintendent Ma. Cristina Monte was awarded as most improved student. According to classmates, she did not know how to ride a bike before she took the class. In his speech, Duterte promised to give her his 650cc Yamaha motorcycle. —/RHM (FREEMAN)