NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — On Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte stated that he will not support any presidential candidate in the May 9, 2022 elections.

Duterte said he is “neutral” and has no plans to campaign for any presidential candidate during a joint meeting of the National Task Force (NTF) and Regional Task Force (RTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in Lapu-Lapu City.

“Let me be clear: nandito man ang media (because the media is present), I am not endorsing any presidential contender.” “I’m neutral,” Duterte said.

Following his recent meeting with presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte issued the statement.

Duterte’s ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), endorsed Marcos’ presidential run after the meeting.

After the NTF and RTF ELCAC event, Duterte was expected to visit a campaign rally for the PDP-Laban in Lapu-Lapu City.

He made it clear that he would not name his preferred successor at the PDP campaign Laban’s rally.

“So, this isn’t a campaign since I’m not endorsing a specific candidate.” So, stop with me, kasi ano ito, hindi ito pulitika,” Duterte remarked.

The PDP-Laban formally endorsed Marcos’ candidacy in a resolution passed on March 21, stating that he is the “candidate whose vision of government is most compatible with [the party’s] 11-point plan.”

Duterte previously stated that the country’s next leader must be “compassionate and determined,” as well as a “lawyer.”

Only Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Dr. Jose Montemayor are attorneys among the ten presidential candidates.

Will not abide by the polling body’s guidelines

In the meantime, Duterte has blasted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for its election campaign guidelines.

Duterte did not specify which Comelec election rules he opposes, but he stated categorically that he will “not follow” the poll body.

“Do not, Kayong Comelec (To Comelec),… He said, “Hawag mong pakialaman itong trabaho ko (Do not interfere with my job).” “Gawain lang ninyo ang trabaho ninyo,” says the narrator. Ang trabaho namin ang gagawain ko (Just do your job and I will do mine). Because there is an election and a ban, I do not cease to perform efficiently. Of course, that is absurd. I’m not going to follow you. “I don’t believe in you, Ako (Me).”

Duterte went on to say that the Comelec could not prevent Filipino voters, especially government employees, from exercising their “fundamental right of freedom of expression.”

“You know, whatever the Elections Commission would truly… You cannot deny a Filipino the fundamental right to freedom of expression, tayo abogado, marami dito abogado (we are attorneys, many of you are lawyers). Iyan talaga hindi mo ma-ano iyan. Even government employees, yung magsabi na kami mga taga-gobyerno (You cannot do that),” he remarked.

Following the loosening of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) protocols, the Comelec has modified its limits on in-person campaigning.

During the campaign sorties, however, handshaking, kissing, and snapping selfies are still prohibited.

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