Duterte on Erap’s tirades: Let the people decide

DAVAO CITY – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte refused to comment on former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s statement that he has no finesse in dealing with women.

“I will let the people react. Let the people decide,” Duterte said when asked for his reaction.

Estrada said Duterte is just copying him, adding the mayor is only good for local politics. 

“He just copied it from me, even in terms of chicks. The difference between us is he doesn’t have the finesse,” Estrada, a known womanizer, had said.

The Davao City mayor, who admitted having two wives and two girlfriends, had been photographed hugging and kissing women in public events.

Duterte said he does need to react, citing the criticisms Estrada got from netizens for his statement.

“That is why I leave it to the people to react to Estrada,” he said.

Estrada and Duterte are known to be long-time friends.

‘Disaster’

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate, took exception to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s statement that it would be a disaster for the country if Duterte is elected president. 

“Yes, a Duterte presidency will be a disaster. It will be a disaster for drug lords, criminals and corrupt public officials,” said Cayetano in a statement.

“The only people who are afraid of a Duterte leadership are those who benefit from corruption and unabated criminality. Mayor Duterte already made it clear. If you don’t want a peaceful country and a corrupt-free government, then don’t vote for him. If you want crimes and illegal drugs to thrive in our communities, then don’t support him,” he added.

Cayetano also disputed Trillanes’ claim that Duterte does not have a comprehensive platform.

“Maybe Sen. Trillanes is not paying enough attention. Of all the presidential candidates, only Mayor Duterte has bold solutions to address crime, corruption and illegal drugs. He also has a comprehensive framework on how to spread development to the regions and alleviate the plight of the working people. This is what the Filipino people find inspiring in Mayor Duterte,” Cayetano said. 

He said their tandem would officially unveil their platform as they start touring the country. “Everyone is very much welcome to attend and listen,” he said. 

Cayetano earlier said he and Duterte intend to cut by half the country’s crime rate and the number of big-time drug lords operating in the country by mobilizing the police and military. 

He said they would also adjust the salaries of workers and push federalism to promote regional development.  – With Mike Frialde