Duterte to supporters: Don't glorify me too much

DAVAO CITY – The face of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte can be seen in almost every corner of this highly-urbanized city, which he governed with an iron fist as mayor for 22 years.

 

Duterte posters and standees greet customers of several business establishments here while vendors make profits out of t-shirts containing either his photo or a closed fist, his campaign symbol.

 

The tough-talking mayor, however, does not seem to be comfortable with the admiration he is receiving.

 

“Don’t give me excessive adulation or glorification. That’s not my style,” Duterte told reporters over the weekend.

 

RELATED: Duterte: I find extra adulation corny

 

“Naninindig ang balahibo ko diyan (I feel uncomfortable with that),” he added.

 

Duterte, who got close to 16 million votes during the recently-concluded election, said he just happened to be the victor of the fireworks-filled presidential race.

 

“I am not god or demigod. I just happened to be one of the Filipinos lucky enough in this world, I don’t know by design or destiny, to become president,” he added.

 

Duterte emerged as the top choice of Filipino voters despite the sustained attacks by his rivals during the homestretch of the campaign. His fellow presidential candidates took turns criticizing his alleged ill-gotten wealth, his gutter language and his supposed lack of respect for women.

 

The relentless tirades, however, were not enough to change the minds of his admirers, many of whom used social networking sites to promote his presidential bid. In fact, about 500,000 people from all walks of life attended his miting de avance at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on May 7.

 

Duterte himself did not seem to be conscious about his image as he continued to deliver inflammatory comments and controversial statements, many of them landing on the headlines.  

 

Duterte, who has been nicknamed the “Punisher” and “Duterte Harry” for his strong anti-crime stance, has said that he does not care who hates him for his convictions.

 

“I don’t want to adjust my life just because I’m president. It’s so corny. You take me for what I am,” he said.