President Rodrigo Duterte jested that he may be the first President to commit suicide as he lamented the strict and rigid Palace life.
“If I were to go back in time, I wouldn’t want [to be President] anymore. You know my work is to give you hope in Malacañang. But I might be the first President to commit suicide,” Duterte said in his speech before female cops at Davao City.
“Susmaryosep, you know, everyone thinks the Palace is all glamour, with security who will follow you. But I cannot go to my other businesses, I cannot go there because they will know,” Duterte said, referring to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
“That’s why, you Presidential Security, if I find out my girlfriend answered you, I’ll kill you all,” he jested.
Duterte said he is not afraid of a possible impeachment over the policies that he will implement to make sure that he will be able to deliver his campaign promises. “Go ahead. I’m old already,” he said.
Expressing his openness to subject himself to a “garbage” probe by human rights bodies, the President had earlier vowed to step out of office if his critics can prove that there were indeed state-sanctioned killings in the country.
“If there were no killings—this is official—I will resign tonight. Come back here. I’ll give you my resignation. I’m not a fool to keep the Presidency. Truth to tell, I don’t want [the presidency],” Duterte said in his speech before members of the Malacañang Press Corps.
“Criminals? They are attributing it to us? And even if there were killings, look at your statistics. Look at the statistics before I assumed office. Look at them very well,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he is willing to lose life, presidency to fulfill his vow to eradicate crime, drugs, and corruption in the country.
“So let’s solve the riddle. I’m not handsome. So let’s work to fulfill the mandate the people gave us… In this presidency, I don’t have any illusions,” he added.”