Duterte calls Mar a fraud, pretender

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has again hit Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II, calling him a “fraud” and a “pretender” during a cause-oriented concert in Tagaytay City on Sunday.

Duterte said Roxas was just pretending to be one of the masses, in reaction to Roxas’ earlier statement that Duterte was just trying to gain attention after his ratings dropped in recent surveys for president. 

Duterte ranked fourth in the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey with 20 percent, one percentage point lower than Roxas who ranked third.

“Sa totoo lang, siya ang natatalo. Ako, talo-panalo ok lang ako. Siya yung fraud. He is a pretender. Gusto niya maging masa, hindi naman talaga niya kaya maging masa (The truth is he is the one losing. As for me, win or lose I will be ok. He is the fraud. He is a pretender. He wants to be among the masses, but he really can’t),” Duterte said.

“Marami ako nagawa na sa buhay. Kung gusto niyang tapatan, hindi niya kaya (I accomplished many things in life. If he wants to match it, he cannot),” Duterte said.  

Roxas called Duterte “epal,” slang for attention-seeker, during an interview in Siquijor on Sunday.

Roxas also told reporters that Duterte was only criticizig him because the mayor wanted to be included in the public discourse.

Roxas made the statement after he was criticized about how he responded during the onslaught and aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which devastated the Visayas and claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in November 2013.

Then secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, he was sent by President Aquino to ensure the preparedness of the regions at risk.

Asked if he is still open for reconciliation with Roxas, Duterte said, “We are not lovers who may have reconciliation.”

Despite their word war, Duterte said if he is elected president, he would be willing to give Roxas a position in the government and it would be up to Roxas to choose a position.

But Duterte believes Roxas will not accept his offer.

Duterte to apologize to Pope

Duterte is also bent on going to the Vatican to personally apologize to Pope Francis for cursing him during a proclamation rally last November.

Duterte said whether he wins or lose, he would schedule a trip to the Vatican to apologize to the pope.

The campaign period for the national elections starts on Feb. 8, leaving Duterte without time to go to Europe. – With Edith Regalado