Former president Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday that his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has not made serious mistakes that warrant criticism.
Speaking at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan national assembly in Davao City, Duterte said that “as long as the government is run in a regular way,” he can “live” with Marcos in charge.
“Wala namang masasabi [na malaking pagkakamali], otherwise I would be the first really to shout… I think I can live with him, I can bear with him. Huwag lang yung kagaya noong may mga abuso, then there is favoritism, lalo na sa military na kung sino lang papasok [na] gusto nila… As long as [the] government is run in a regular way, wala naman tayong problema,” he said.
(There’s really [no big mistakes] to comment on; otherwise, I would be the first really to shout… I think I can live with him, I can bear with him. As long as it’s not like before when there were abuses, then there is favoritism, especially in the military when whoever enters [is] the one they like… As long as the government is run in a regular way, we have no problem.)
According to Duterte, dissent is necessary for a democracy, which respects the system of checks and balances in government.
In January, Duterte accused Marcos of taking illegal drugs, but the President simply laughed it off.
Duterte later denied making such a claim.
In his speech, Duterte admitted that public office was a hard job, even for those who might be corrupt or stealing from the government.
“All you need to do is a meager amount to get into the office, but once you are there, you have to dispense so many problems of humanity, including expenses of the election. But, more of the money will go into the social services… Walang pera sa [politika]. Mauubos talaga sa pangangailangan ng tao (There is no money in [politics]. It will run out due to the needs of the people),” the former president said.
“Kaya minsan, ang akala talaga ng karamihan, perception is baka akala talaga nila nagnanakaw yung mayor pati governor. As a matter of fact, ipit [ang mga kamay nila]… Kung talagang may pera na puwede niyong minahin niyo man, dagdag ka pa. Maski may pera sa gobyerno, kung talagang you want to solve the problem of humanity once you are in public office, kulang pa yan… kasi the government can only appropriate P300,000 discretionary fund.”
(So, sometimes, most people have the perception that mayors and governors are stealing. As a matter of fact, [their hands] are tied… If there really is money that they may mine, they have to add to it. Even if there is money in the government, if you really want to solve the problem of humanity once you are in public office, that is not enough… because the government can only appropriate P300,000 discretionary funds.)
“Hindi madali ang public office. Maski sabihin mo magnakaw ka ng pera. Mauubos din yan sa tulong ng tao, kasi paglabas diyan sa budget, you are only limited [to] medical assistance. You cannot program the sickness or ailments of a community… maski na sabihin mo gusto mong magnakaw, wala kang panahon magnakaw kasi kailangan ng tao,” he added.
(Public office isn’t easy. Even if you say that you will steal money. It will run out in service of the public, because when the budget comes out, you are only limited to medical assistance. You cannot program the sickness or ailments of a community… even if you say that you want to steal, you wouldn’t have time because people need it.)
He also said that it was up to the people to judge his performance in government.
“Tapos na rin ako. Whether or not, in your judgment, I succeeded or nagnakaw ako or hindi, nasa inyo na ‘yan. (I’m already finished. Whether or not, in your judgment, I succeeded or stole or not, it’s on you.) I cannot proclaim to the world that I was the most honest public official in the land,” Duterte said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
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