BATANGAS – Is outgoing President Aquino prepared for a possible Duterte-Marcos leadership in the country?
The President has candidly admitted he would accept the results of the May 9 elections, including the prospect of victory of presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“At the end of the day, tinuruan ako kung ano ang gusto ng taumbayan iyon ang masusunod. Kung ano ang sabihin ng taumbayan, utusan ako eh, susundan ko,” Aquino said in a media interview when asked about his thoughts of a Duterte-Marcos leadership.
Duterte and Marcos have been the frontrunners in the recent pre-election surveys despite the President’s frequent criticisms of their track record and platform in administration campaign rallies.
The President has also downplayed speculations that an unfriendly successor would be spell bad things for him. The outgoing president said he prefers to think about the welfare of the people, not his interest, come Election Day.
“‘Yung good for me and good for everybody – siyempre mas importante sa akin ‘yung good for everybody,” Aquino said.
“Ako wala akong dapat yata ikahiya sa nagawa na natin eh. Hindi ako perpekto, hindi perfect lahat ng solutions natin all the time,” he added.
President Aquino earlier said he is ready to face possible charges against him and even land in jail after his term.
Aquino said he expects his detractors who were affected by his tough anti-corruption drive would take revenge against him.
But at present, the President is still confident about the chances of Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate Leni Robredo in next months’ elections despite trailing in recent surveys.
Aquino said he believes more voters would pick Roxas and Robredo because they are most qualified to lead the country in the next six years. He said the administration’s presidential tandem is guaranteed to build on the gains of “Daang Matuwid,” compared to their rivals who dish out empty promises and might derail the country’s economic turnaround.
“Ang survey ang pinakaimportante siyempreng survey May 9,” Aquino said.
“At palagay namin, mapapaalala kung nasaan tayo nanggaling ‘nung ating machinery, saan tayo ngayon, at saan tayo pupunta, ay sasang-ayunan tayo ng sambayanan na talagang dapat ituloy ‘yung pagtahak natin sa Daang Matuwid. Iyon ang expectation natin,” he added.
The President also took a swipe against Duterte for his recent controversial statements, from making light of a rape incident involving an Australian missionary to his threat to cut ties with the United States and Australia.
