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A supporter of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Fri, Sep 18, that convincing the tough-talking public official to run for President in 2016 is the only way to push for real reform.
Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) founding chairman and president Dante Jimenez said Duterte is “the only person who could bring drastic changes” in the country and break the status quo.
The VACC official insisted that no other politician can equal the reforms the mayor pushed in his turf which is now considered as the sixth safest city in the world.
Jimenez appealed to fellow Duterte supporters to join the demonstration at Rizal Park, Manila on September 26 to trump Duterte’s plans to retire from public life next year.
“It’s high time na i-lay down na natin ang baraha. Status quo ba tayo or palitan natin ang sistema ng gobyerno (It’s high time that we lay all the cards on the table. Do we stick with the status quo or do we make a move to change our system of government)?” Jimenez told radio dzMM.
Jimenez also bemoans the possibility that Duterte may no longer change his mind on ruling out a presidential bid.
“Nakakalungkot kung ito po ay hindi pagbibigyan man lamang ni Mayor Duterte ang panawagan ng mga kababayan natin na sawang-sawa nang araw-araw may patayan, araw-araw may rape, araw-araw may mga carnapping, kidnapping at saka murder, riding-in-tandem, drugs (It would be very sad if Mayor Duterte doesn’t heed the call of the people who are so fed up with the crimes that happen everyday such as homicides, rape, carnapping, kidnapping with murder, riding-in-tandem assassinations, and drug dealing).”
Duterte announced earlier this month that he has no plans of seeking the presidency and will retire from public life next year. The mayor instead promised that he will support any candidate who backs federalism and will support his advocacy in Mindanao.
