MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, April 13, urged the public to discern well and carefully analyze political “attacks” that surface in the news during the campaign period before believing them.
The Chief Executive made this call during the campaign rally at the Centennial Stage, Kaamulan Park here.
President Duterte also chastised members of the press who agree to produce false reports in exchange for payment.
“They accept [payment] from clients to [write] political attacks. ACDC [attack and collect money, defend and collect money]. You attack to get paid. So don’t believe that they are clean,” said President Duterte in the vernacular.
“You protect the rich and hide their secrets, but attack us politicians who genuinely want reform. That’s the truth. You are just being paid,” he stressed.
President Duterte then brushed off political attacks and corruption allegations against him, adding that a portion of his assets was inherited from his deceased parents.
“They said that I have a law office that was unregistered. What is it to them if I don’t have it registered? They didn’t discover that my partner died the week after…having a law office was my backup plan in the past years in case I lose in the elections. At least if I lose, I would have a sanctuary and a source of income which is my law office,” he explained.
“But that’s the only issue that they attacked me with apart from selling motorcycles. If you are a motorcycle rider, you immediately become a businessman because if your motorcycle model grows old, you will want to replace it with a new one. If not, you trade it for a new model and just add money. But those transactions weren’t for profit,” he said.
Having said these, the President then appealed to the Filipinos to choose leaders who would work hard for the nation’s future.
“If you are going to choose, choose leaders who are responsible and will be of great help,” said the President.
He, however, warned public officials against going astray from their oath of office, saying that he would personally address any complaints against them through the government’s complaint hotline 8888.
“Report it to me. It’s not libel. It’s not libelous as long as you report to me officially,” he assured.
