President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he will campaign for “corrupt-free” candidates in the 2019 midterm elections.
He also said he will announce his bets after Christmas. “I will campaign. Not now, maybe after Christmas. Then I will announce my choices, who those people are,” Duterte said in a speech in Cagayan de Oro Wednesday night.
He was there to lead the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award to 3,400 agrarian reform beneficiaries.
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He then listed the qualities that candidates must have to recommend them to the public.
“I told them that I only have one requirement: Competence, and if you have the capability and if you are honest,” Duterte said.
“That’s my only requirement. That’s a standard for all of them to follow. Do not ever make a mistake, especially with corruption. I will support you as long as you are not corrupt and if you have the capacity.”
Duterte also reminded the police and the military not to engage themselves in partisan politics.
“They can campaign for me, but I told them not to. Don’t. That would be complicated because you’ll be using government-owned vehicles and planes,” Duterte said.
He also said he will not end his political stint by leaving people something to talk about, particularly corruption.
“Just let me be because I am President. I’m just one person after all. And the President is always a politician because he is elected by the people,” Duterte said.
“I won’t enter into politics anymore. I will just give you my recommendation. If you won’t receive it, then it’s up to you.”