Duterte on opposition: 'They want power back'

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — It’s the opposition, particularly the Liberal Party (LP), that’s creating chaos to destabilize the government, President Duterte said.

“These are the groups, you know, that were elected during the last administration. Lahat ’yan sila served in government. ’Yung iba sa Malacañang. At tanungin mo sa kanila kung ano ang ginawa nila (And ask them what they accomplished) while they were in power,” Duterte said at a press briefing recently in Pampanga.

“Now, sila ’yung gustong bumalik (they want to come back),” the President said.

Duterte also said the group wanted to make it appear that he is clinging to power and that it is his real objective in pushing for federalism.

He said his political enemies could not accept the fact that he had already offered to cut short his term by next year to help ensure smooth transition to federalism.

He called his detractors “noisy and the ambitious” who could not wait for him to finish his term.

“They are free to accept it or not,” he said. “I am elected to serve until 2022, that would be election year.”

Earlier, the President clarified he was not stepping down during the transition to the federal form of government or give way to Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he called incompetent.

“Not. It should be election and not succession. She is incompetent to become president,” Duterte added.