Duterte says Robredo incompetent, incapable of running PH

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 10, said he will not resign if it will make Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo the country's new President.

"Siya ang mag-presidente? Look, I will not resign because it will make her president. My resignation is addressed to the people para makapili sila ng gusto nila. Siya, I don't think she can ever be ready to govern my country," the President said in a chance interview in Pampanga.

(She will become president? Look, I will not resign because it will make her president. My resignation is addressed to the people to let them choose their preferred candidate. Her, I don't think she can ever be ready to govern my country.)

"Reason? Incompetence. She is not capable of running a country like this -- Philippines," he added.

Duterte's remarks came hours after Robredo said she is willing to unite opposition groups and lead them against the current administration.

Earlier Tuesday, Robredo revealed her intent to form a united opposition coalition by September, a month before the scheduled filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections.

Robredo made the pronouncement a day after Malacañang announced that Duterte has declined a proposal under the draft federal charter to make him the head of a transition government.

On Monday, July 9, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the President wanted the Filipino people to elect a "younger" transitional president, once the proposed federal system is approved.

Duterte on Tuesday said he hoped that the person who will replace him has the "competence and enterprise" to lead a federal state.

But he made it clear that he would not allow succession.

"Hindi ako papayag ng succession. Would you think that the other guy is better than me. [Conduct an] election. Madaming magandang lalaki diyan. Mamili lang kayo," the President said.

(I will not allow succession. Would you think that the other guy is better than me. [Conduct an] election. There are many good-looking guys. You can choose.)

"It's a suggestion. They are free to accept it or not. Kung ayaw ng tao, e 'di [ako pa rin] because I am elected to serve until 2022, that will be the election year."

(It's a suggestion. They are free to accept it or not. If the people don't want it, then, [it's still me]because I am elected to serve until 2022, that will be the election year." Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines