PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, November 18, 2021, said one of the presidential aspirants for the national elections in 2022 is a cocaine user.
During his speech at the meeting of the national and regional task force to end local communist armed conflict in Mindoro, Duterte did not name the aspirant but said the person came from a rich family.
He said the person has yet to accomplish anything for the country and was just banking on the name of his father.
"There is even a presidential candidate na nag-cocaine... May kandidato tayo na nagko-cocaine 'yan. 'Yung anak ng mayaman. Kaya nga nagtataka ako. Anong nagawa ng tao na yan?" Duterte said.
(There is a presidential candidate that does cocaine... we have a candidate that does cocaine. This person is from an affluent family. That is why I am wondering, what did the person do [to the country]?)
"I am just asking, what contribution has he made para sa Pilipinas? 'Yan lang ang gusto kong tanungin. Bakit ang Pilipino parang lukong-luko supporting. Magtanong lang ako sainyo, anong ginawa niyan? Nagdodroga yan ng cocaine. Hindi ako nangiintriga bahala kayo (you) find out,” he added.
(I am just asking, what contribution has this person made for the Philippines? That's the only thing I will ask. Why are Filipinos so crazy in supporting this person. I ask you, what has this person done? This person does drugs, cocaine specifically. I am not one to make intrigue, it is up to you to find out.)
Duterte said the person has a “very weak” character as a leader, but he might win.
“Nagtataka ako sa Pilipino, di ako naiinggit, pulitika naman, may manalo, may matalo. Ganu'n rin ako noon, kung walang swerte, wala. Pero itong fascination nila sa itong kandidato na to, baka hindi talaga nila alam," Duterte said.
(I am wondering to the Filipinos, I am not envious, this is politics. Some will win, some will lose. It's just like me before, without luck, I have nothing. But this fascination to this candidate, maybe they just don't know [his background].)
“What I am just, not really a warning, bahala kayo kung anong gusto ninyo na tao inyo yan. Ang akin lang, pagdating ng panahon basta sinabi ko sainyo and he is a very weak leader ang character niyan. Except for the name. Ang tatay. Pero siya? Anong ginawa niya? He might win hands down, okay. If that's what the Filipino wants, go ahead. Basta alam ninyo," he added.
(What I am just saying, not really a warning, it's up to you who you will choose [in the elections]. For me, when the time comes, I am telling you, he is a very weak leader. Except for the name. The father. But this person, what has he done? He might win hands down, okay. If that's what the Filipino wants, go ahead. But I am only telling you this.)
In the same event, Duterte endorsed his former long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who is also aspiring for the top government post.
Other prominent individuals who filed their certificate of candidacy for president were former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, the running mate of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio; Vice President Leni Robredo; Senator Panfilo Lacson; Senator Emannuel “Manny” Pacquiao; Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; labor leader Leody De Guzman, and Army General Antonio Parlade Jr.