Manila Bulletin

Rody nixes term extension

- By GENALYN D. KABILING

President Duterte has ruled out a term extension and urged anew the military to “kill” him if he becomes a dictator.

The President affirmed that the military and police must prevent anyone from violating the Constituti­on that states a president has a six-year term and is not eligible for any re-election.

“I suppose that the Armed Forces and the police will see to it that the Constituti­on is followed. Kaya sabi ko sa kanila, 'Maniwala kayo diyan magdiktado­r ako? Patayin ninyo ako [So I told them, 'Do you believe that I will become a dictator? Just kill me'],” Duterte said during a visit to a military camp in Dingle, Iloilo last Thursday.

“If I overstay in the office even one day, you oust me and you kill me. Wala akong ambisyon. Gusto ko ngang umalis na [I don't have any ambition. I actually want to leave],” said Duterte, whose term ends in 2022.

Duterte admitted that he has grown tired of his heavy workload, and even believes that he should be paid more.

He wished to earn an “ideal” salary of R1.5 million instead of the current R200,000 wage that supposedly had no meal or representa­tion allowance.

”It's very tiring, you keep on flying and saluting,” he said in Filipino.

The President earlier defended his strong and strict leadership style, saying the country would make no progress if he did not act like a dictator.

In previous speeches, Duterte declared he would not be a tyrant, just a strong and unwavering leader in fighting illegal drugs, crime and corruption.

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