‘It’ll be lonely at the top’

But if you’re focused, have trust in God you’ll get to where you want, Aquino tells Duterte

It will be lonely and challenging at the top but President Aquino promised to give his successor, presumptive president Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte a “leg up” and advised him to always trust the Lord and do what is right for the people.

“You will feel more and more alone the longer you’re there. You will have more and more complex problems that have to be dealt with, and the public will say ‘yesterday,’” Aquino said in a recent interview with CNN Philippines when asked about his advice to his successor.

“But at the end of the day, I

guess if you are focused on our people and you have trust in God, you follow your instincts, you will get to where you want to go,” Aquino added.

Duterte, the 71-year-old tough talking mayor of Davao City, is set to clinch the presidency after earning more than 15 million votes in the recent elections.

Duterte’s resounding victory comes even after the President’s staunch campaign against his supposed dictatorial tendency and unclear campaign platform. Aquino, however, has accepted the election results, saying the voice of the people must be respected.

In the CNN interview aired last May 11, the President also pledged an orderly and effective transition to the next administration that includes briefing them about the state of national affairs as well as helping out in the inaugural preparations.

“Part of the peaceful transfer of power is to say, ‘Look, these are the things we have done, the idea is this, these are the components that still have to be done, these are things to look out and watch out (for) in (the) coming months, in (the) coming years,’ assuming they are predisposed to listening to us,” Aquino said.

“When we get there, that’s a very important ceremony for the State, that there is that transition in power. We will ensure everything in our power to make it a memorable event, that it gives the incoming administration that leg up as they start governance,” he added.

Duterte, the firebrand politician who promised a strong anti-crime drive and Charter change on economic provisions, will formally take over the reins of Malacañang by noon of June 30. The camp of Duterte earlier said the inauguration ceremony would be simple and frugal.

Aquino acknowledged that the incoming leader has preferences on where and how the inaugural ceremony will be conducted.

The President earlier created a seven-man committee to effect the “peaceful, orderly and effective transition” of power next month.

The Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa was scheduled to hold its first meeting on Friday in Malacañang.

The transition committee, created by the President via Administrative Order No. 49, includes National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Emmanuel Esguerra, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Under AO 49, the transition committee will serve as the overall and central coordination committee of all government agencies as regards the various aspects of the transition to the new administration.

It will also oversee preparation and implementation of the government agencies’ transition to the new administration to ensure continuity and maintain the efficiency of government services.

All government agencies have also been directed to establish their respective Agency Transition Committees (ATCs) that will be chaired by the head of the agency.