Duterte says he won’t be a dictator

March 30, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday he would rather leave the presidency than becoming a dictator.

In a speech during the awarding of the Go Negosyo's Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs 2017 in Malacanang, Duterte said he would do what he thinks is good for the country, particularly in continuing his war on drugs despite criticisms from different sectors, including foreign governments.

"I will do what I want because after all, they say, 'Duterte wants to be a dictator.' Son of a bitch, if only I could leave now (but) it will be embarrassing," he said.

"As I said, if you think that I am exceedingly proud or happy that I am now President, no, I am not. To tell you frankly, tell you what, I do not need it at this time of my life. I'm 72. I should be retiring," he added.

Duterte said he should be blamed for where he is now because he ran for the presidency.

"That is the problem which I’m trying to find out. I want to hang myself for that," he said.

Duterte said when he took his oath of office, he is under obligation to protect and defend the Filipino nation.

He said he did not care about what others have been telling him.

The European Union, human rights groups and other sectors have been criticizing Duterte's war on illegal drugs, resulting to the death of over 7,000 people already since he assumed office in June last year. Celerina Monte/DMS