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After ruling out a bid for the Presidency, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sat, Sep 26, asked his supporters, who gathered at the Quirino Grandstand, for more time to do some “final soul-searching.”
Duterte’s supporters held a gathering on Sat in the hopes of convincing the tough-talking mayor of Davao City to run for President in 2016.
In a text message read by former Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to the crowd, Duterte expressed his thanks to his followers.
Duterte apologized for not making it to the gathering, saying he had to join efforts to rescue the three foreigners and a Filipina abducted by armed men earlier this week.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga tao na nagbibgay ng suporta. Tiniis daw ninyo ang init at ulan, at ako ay humihingi ng paumanhin. Andito ako sa Zamboanga City dahil tumulong ako sa paghanap ng solusyon sa kidnapping na nangyari sa Samal Island nitong Lunes (Thank you to all the people who expressed their support. You endured heat and rain, so I ask for your understanding. I am in Zamboanga City providing assistance to seek a solution for the kidnapping that happened last Monday,” Duterte said.
Duterte again reiterated that he’s not interested in running for president.
“I hear your clamor loud and clear. I know you want an alternative to those who now present themselves with their ambition to lead the country. I have repeatedly said that i do not have ambitions to be your President. Leaders answer not their self- interest or their personal glory. Leaders respond to duty and moral obligation,” he continued.
Nonetheless, he asked for more time so he could do a “final soul-searching.”
“Sa lahat sa kababayan natin, humihingi ako ng konting panahon, so I can do some final soul-searching with myself and my family (To all my countrymen, I ask for a little more time so I can so some final soul-searching with myself and my family),” he said.
”At pagkatapos, sa konting panahon na lang po, haharap ako sa bansa at sa inyong lahat. At magdedesisyon ako ng buong kalooban at mula sa puso. Pangako ko sa inyo – hinding hindi ko kayo pababayaan.”
Duterte’s message was also posted on the Facebook page of his spokesperson, Peter Lavina.
Duterte earlier said that he has no plans of seeking the presidency and will retire next year. He said he consulted this decision with his family and all the people concerned with his political career. He also cited his lack of finances needed to bankroll a campaign as one of his reasons for not pursuing a presidential bid.
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
