PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte announced on Wednesday, October 31, that he would release the roster of senatorial candidates who will get his endorsement for the 2019 midterm elections.
He said he would pick senatorial aspirants who have the competence and integrity to serve the country.
"Are the other [aspiring] senators not around? Leave it blank then. No, no. I’ll come up with a list. I feel like the -- I will choose people well," the President said in Bisaya during a speech delivered before land reform beneficiaries in Cagayan de Oro City.
"You can be sure of that. I have some friends who [want my endorsement], I told them, 'Sorry.' I won’t, I really won’t. But I’ll release that [list of my preferred senatorial candidates]," he added.
Duterte's remarks came after at least six of his allies are running for senator in 2019 polls.
These include reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, erstwhile Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa, then presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, and Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu.
All Duterte's allies who are vying for the Senate seats, except Roque, will run under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. Roque will run under the People's Reform Party.
Duterte, who earlier guaranteed a "clean and honest" elections next year, said that his "only requirement" was to ensure that people who are serving the country have the competence and are not involved in corruption.
"I told them that I only have one requirement. Competence and if you have the capability and if you are honest. That’s my only requirement. That’s a standard for all of them to follow," he said.
"That’s what I said. I will support you as long as you are not corrupt and if you have the capacity," the Chief Executive added.
But Duterte stressed that the Filipino electorate still have the final say on their preferred senatorial candidates.
"I will just give you my recommendation. If you won't receive it, then go to [someone you think are deserving to win]. Bahala kayo (It's still up to you)," he said. (SunStar Philippines)