Duterte says he’s not keen on clinging to power

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte speaks during the Federalism Summit at the Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur on October 17, 2017. (ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated that he is not keen to cling to power despite his claims that he would declare a revolutionary government to curb potential destabilization plots against him.

Duterte said he is ready to step down from office at the end of his term in 2022.

“That would also serve as a warning to everybody. Nobody is interested here in this government me, especially, to go beyond my term. I do not intend to perpetuate myself. I will not shame my family and all for any ambition in this world,” the president said in his speech at the Federalism Summit and PDP-Laban Oath taking in Pili, Camarines Sur.

“Eh sinasabi nila na mag-revolutionary government ako dahil gusto kong tumagal, anak ng… Kung maaari lang, kung pwede lang umatras eh. Nakakahiya lang [They say I will declare a revolutionary government because I want to extend my term, son of a… If possible, I will step down. It’s just embarrassing],” Duterte added.

He added that he’s not happy to be the president, saying he’s old for a “sheer volume of work” and pressure.

“I am 72. Give me for about dalawa [two], tatlong taon wala na ako [three years I am done]. Huwag kayong magtanong sa akin kung ano ang sakit ko [Don’t ask me what my illness is]. And do not ever ask an old man, 50 years old and above, ‘Okay ka ba? Wala kang sakit?’ kasi disrespectful ‘yan [Are you okay? Are you suffering from any disease?]. Lahat ng ganung edad may sakit na ‘yan. Totoo [Everyone at that age suffers from diseases. That’s the truth.]” Duterte said.

“Alam mo ng traditional ailment ng Pilipino [You know the traditional Filipino ailment]. We are a rice-eating nation, so it’s diabetes. It is not caused by any germ, virus, but it’s actually an adequacy of the body to cope up with so much of the rice that we eat, carbo. That’s about it,” the president added.

Duterte also warned smokers of getting the Buerger’s disease, citing it as the reason why he banned smoking all over the country.

“Now, if you want to die of smoking go ahead, you can be our guest but wag kang magdamay ng tao [don’t involved others]. I got — I acquired for you doctors the Buerger’s disease kaya ayon [that’s why],” Duterte said.