‘Mayor of the Phl’ holds back on P.I.

DAVAO CITY – With his hair newly trimmed and the profanity conspicuously missing from his remarks, incoming president Rodrigo Duterte faced the public yesterday, urging people to call him “mayor.”

“I am the mayor of the Philippines. I do not want to be called president,” Duterte said. “Nakokornihan

ako (I find it corny). Not my type. I am not comfortable with it.”

The outgoing mayor of this city will be sworn in as the 16th president of the country on June 30.

In a press briefing at the Matina Enclave Residences yesterday, his first public appearance since the May 9 elections, he said he has been Davao City’s chief executive for a long time and he wanted the people to continue calling him mayor.

Duterte also made clear

he cringes at the adulation he has been receiving since the start of the campaign.

He got more than 16 million votes – the biggest for any elected president in Philippine history.

His was a campaign marked by controversy and vitriol that spared no one – not even Pope Francis or a raped and murdered Australian missionary.

In yesterday’s briefing, Duterte appeared more subdued as he voiced disdain for what he called undeserved attention from supporters and the public in general.

When election victory was certain, Duterte made a promise to mellow down and avoid cuss words as much as possible, saying being elected president would make him representative of the country with enormous responsibilities.

A bout with pneumonia may also have stymied his usual explosive demeanor.

He stressed he is a simple guy who would rather avoid the trappings of his position.

“Do not do that because this not a royalty. This is a democracy and we are all equal in the law. I am just like you and the rest,” he said. “Even if I am your president, I would just consider me equal to you in terms of rights and responsibilities.”

He admitted he may have attracted fanatics, and the realization gives him goose bumps.

But while he may have held back venomous statements, he promised to go tough on law breakers even as he laid down policies meant to instill order in communities, like a curfew on minors as well as a ban on street drinking sessions.

Duterte also said he would urge Congress to work on the restoration of the death penalty in an effort to deter crime and other drug-related offenses.

Duterte also said he would put a stop to the practice of barangay officials joining Lakbay-Aral trips.

“Lakbay Aral is a waste of money. No one should be allowed to get into those trips,” he said.

The incoming president also said he is discouraging local officials from organizing or attending events outside their jurisdictions, specifically in posh resorts or hotels.

“If you have those seminars and training, hold it in your area. It would be cheaper than holding it outside of your locality. Instead bring the speakers to your communities. That way it would be much cheaper,” Duterte said. –