Duterte: If you want an American president, vote for Grace Poe

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo on Monday afternoon told the public and the voters that if they want to have a Filipino president, they should go to the remaining candidates aside from presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe.

“Sasabihin ko sa mga kababayan ko, if you want to have an American president, vote for Grace. If you want Filipino, o dito sa tatlo.. mayroon pa palang isa, si Miriam, apat. Señeres pang-lima. E di unahin ninyo na sila. Kilatisin ninyo sila. ‘Wag na muna ako, kalimutan ninyo muna ako at kilalanan niyo sila,” Duterte said.

“Hindi naman ako mamamatay kapag hindi ako naging presidente,” he added.

Last Saturday, Duterte said he wants to run for president due to his disappointment on the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s (SET) ruling that junked Poe’s disqualification case. He believes, Poe, a foundling is not a natural-born Fililipino citizen.

Although he considers Poe a good woman, Duterte said the voters must consider the other candidates whom he considers Filipino citizens.

“Kung gusto mo ng competent, iboto mo si Roxas, Gusto mo ng integrity, iboto mo si Binay. Kung gusto mo ng extraordinary competence and integrity, iboto mo si Miriam,” Duterte said.

“Kung wala na kayong makita, baka gusto niyong tumingin sa Mindanao. Nandoon lang ako,” he added.

Duterte reminded the public that they should value the Constitution as it unites the country. He believes the SET ruling messes up with the law.

“Do not mess up with the Constitution that is my advice to you all. Ngayon kung hindi ninyo mapakinggan ang Constitution, you do not honor it, why should we in Mindanao? The almost a forgotten land,” the mayor said.

“Ngayon e kung balewala na ang Constitution, maghihiwalay tayo,” he said.

Duterte stressed that he can live with any presidential candidate be it an Ifugao, Igorot, Mangyan, Visayan, carpenter, teacher, but not an American.

The mayor also slammed Poe’s running mate, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and told him to stop using Poe in his campaign. He said it should not be compared to his decision because he is only running since he does not want an American citizen to be the country’s president.

“I’m using it because I love my country I’m using the disqualification because I do not want an American citizen for at least one who is not natural born (president),” Duterte said.

Duterte however said the public can still decide on their own and if they want an American president, he urged them to vote for Poe. He then described the other candidates he consider Filipino.

 “Kung kailangan ninyo si Grace Poe, Amerikano. Doon kayo. Kung sino lang ang gusto ninyo. Kailangan ninyo ng competent, lumalaban nang bagyo, ‘yan si Mar,  kailangan naman ninyo ng gumagawa ng parang Lee Kuan Yew, ayan si Binay, si Miriam she’s brilliant. If you want a brilliant president, ‘yung talagang brilliant na mataas ang IQ ‘yan,” Duterte said.

“Kung gusto ninyo ng 75 76 77, ako ‘yan. ‘Yan lang talaga ang grado ko sa buhay ko. Ordinary lang ako. ‘Di nga ako nakatikim maski fifth honourable mention...Kalimutan ninyo na ako. Balikan ninyo ako one week before the elections. ..para di kayo mabigatan, iconsider ninyo muna silang lahat,” he added.