DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 March) — Unfazed by the impeachment complaint filed against him, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will go “by the rules of destiny” that he will leave the presidency if it’s his time to go.
In his press conference at the Davao International Airport before departing for Myanmar on Sunday, the President said he welcomes the impeachment complaint filed against him by Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano on March 16 citing various cases, and efforts to sue him at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad.
“I welcome both developments. They can do their worse; I can do better in my performance as a worker in government. This is democracy,” he said.
The Prresident brushed aside criticisms against his anti-drug campaign and reiterated that he will deliver on his promise to fight corruption, drugs, and criminality.
“Impeachment? If part of my destiny, it’s my destiny to go. Ganun lang yan, palad-palad lang (It’s just that, it’s a matter of destiny). Maybe, God gave me only two years, six months, one year and a half to be President in this country? Fine. Basta let it be said na hindi ko binigay ang ipinangako ko. Ganun lang ang buhay (that I did do what I promise. That’s life),” he said.
Last March 16, Alejano filed the impeachment complaint against Duterte on the following grounds; culpably violating the Constitution; engaging in bribery; betraying the public trust; and committing graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Duterte said there’s no let up in campaign on drugs for as long as the drug addicts will not give up on drugs and there are erring Filipinos who do not understand the role of government.
“Kaya (That’s why) drop the shabu if you want to be alive. If you don’t want to be in trouble with government, stop trafficking. I will not be for a moment, be out of focus on that,” he said.
Duterte denying having any involvement in the calls to impeach the Vice President Leni Robredo and insisted he is already “beyond politics” to do anything of that sort.
“Never didanything and I will not do anything about it. Magtanong kayo kugn sino pagtanungan ninyo. I never lifted a finger against any body. Tapos ako nyan. I’m beyond politics…. I do not want to tinker with it. I just want to focus on my job as a — which you have given me.”
I just want to focus on my job which you have given me,” he said.
He said he will not be surprised but will not speculate either whether Robredo had anything to do with the impeachment complaint against him.
“I will not be surprised if she is there or I will not also speculate if she is not there. Kasi hindi ako nakikialaam sa buhay nya. Sana ‘wag nyang pakialaman ang akin but sa trabaho okay lang. Wala yan sa akig impeachment. I got by the rules of destiny… what gave me the Presidency was pure destiny,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)
