President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he gave his “best” during his six-year term and apologized to Filipinos if this was lacking.
“In a few days, I’ll be out. Iyong nagawa ko, para sa akin, ‘yon na ‘yon [What I did, for me, that was it], the best that my efforts can really achieve,” Duterte, who is stepping down on June 30, said.
“Kung kulang pa ‘yon, pasensya na po, hindi ko na talaga kaya [If it’s not enough, I apologize, I cannot give any more],” he added in a speech during the inauguration of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s new head office in Pasig City.
Duterte in 2016 swept to power under the slogan “change is coming”, promising to crush crime, including illegal drugs, and corruption.
“The things that I failed to do [were] mostly not because of negligence or may mga shortcomings ako but talagang time. Six years would not be enough to finish all the projects,” the 77-year-old Chief Executive said.
Addressing the crowd, Duterte added in Filipino, “Thank you for your help in my journey in the 6 years that you gave me the honor of being the President of the Philippines.”
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has secured an insurmountable 16-million lead in the race to succeed Duterte, based on partial, unofficial tallies.
The President’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, also enjoys a wide lead in the vice-presidential race after garnering over 31 million votes like her running mate Marcos Jr.