Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 10, warned all candidates for the 2019 midterm elections not to intimidate Filipino voters into voting for them or their allies regardless of their political affiliations to the president.
“Ke kasama kita sa gobyerno, kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika (Whether you’re a colleague in government, a political ally, or a political opponent). Do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters,” Duterte warned.
Duterte made it clear during the military housing project in San Miguel, Bulacan that he will not tolerate nor permit any candidate to bully their voters into choosing them for a certain government position.
“I would just like to inform, I want to tell the candidates and that goes for the entire Philippines, during my watch, in my time, I will not allow you,” the president added as reported by Rappler.
Aside from offering to arrest politicians himself, the strong-mouthed leader delivered some threatening remarks to those who dare not to follow his orders. He presented his punishment in mind in a graphic and detailed manner.
“‘Pag ginawa ‘nyo ‘yan, ako mismo pupunta doon at ako mismo mag-aresto sa ‘yo at ako mismo maghila sa inyo. Talian kita sa leeg, doon sa gilid ng eroplano (If you do that, I myself will go to you and arrest you and drag you. I will tie you around the neck. I will tie it to a wheel of a plane and take off),” he warned.
He urged the candidates to leave the decision to the voters. He noted that even if they would not like the attitude of those who will win they must deal with it because those are the government officials the people have chosen.
“Hayaan mo ang tao kung sino ang piliin nila — maski piliin nila yung parang aso ‘yung ugali. E pasensiya tayo (Let the people choose who they want – even if they choose someone who behaves like a dog. That’s just too bad for us),” Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
He emphasized the importance of giving in to the call of democracy which is surrendering the selection of leaders to the will of the people. He said that the choice of the majority should dictate who will be the rightful person in public office.
“That’s the will of the people. It’s the will of God. Iyon ang pinili ng tao. Eh, di pasensiya (That’s who the people chose. That’s just too bad for us). You might not like him, but if it’s their free will, it’s the choice of the people. Do not mess it up,” he said.
The commander-in-chief also issued an order to government officials and members of the military — soldiers and police alike, not to express favor towards any politician, even if they are allied with the administration.
“One thing also is we are observing the election period. I would like to remind everybody in government, everybody especially the Armed Forces and police. Do not take sides either for or against any party. Don’t interfere,” he said.
“Huwag kayong magkampanya (Don’t campaign for) and do not favor any candidate whatsoever,” he added. “That is the mandate of the Constitution. And we will stick by it,” Duterte added.
