LP: No clear winners yet in elections

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is expected to give a final push for administration standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and his runningmate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo in Quezon City tomorrow as the Liberal Party said there are no clear winners yet in the coming elections.

Aquino trumpeted the programs and projects implemented by the administration in Mindanao and Davao in particular, where he inaugurated the Mt. Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in Davao Oriental before campaigning in Digos City, Davao del Sur on Wednesday.

“On Monday, we will make a decision. We have heard all the contenders for quite some time now, so let us think very carefully. Where are we certain? Where are we in danger? It’s all up to you,” Aquino said in Davao Oriental.

The President was in Cagayan on Monday, Iloilo City on Tuesday and then Legazpi City and Naga City yesterday. He is also expected to campaign in another city in Metro Manila before the final push tomorrow.

In Legazpi City, he led the inauguration of Yawa Bridge and  Tibu pumping station and the Sabang, Calabanga Fishport Terminal and Cold Storage Facility in Calabanga. He also met with local leaders and the community in Ligao City and then in Naga City to campaign for Roxas and Robredo.

“By Monday, it will be the moment of truth… Sometimes I am asked: ‘why are you still so determined?’ You know I’ve been married to the country. I have no children. My youngest nephew is very young, the son of Kris (his youngest sister), Bimby,” Aquino said.

The President said he owed it to his nephew and the rest of the young Filipinos to be involved rather than simply be quiet.

“I am sorry if I am coughing. I am not a candidate but I am delivering a lot of speeches. After the speeches, of course I have a country to run. We are still tackling so many problems,” Aquino said.

The President said he has been part of the country’s political dynamics since he was 12 or 44 years running, being the son of democracy icons Benigno Jr. and Corazon.

“A big part of my life has been spent being involved rather than (focusing) on personal matters. Of course come June 30, I will go back to being an ordinary citizen. I hope my life will already be quiet,” Aquino said.

Aquino also did not mince words in assailing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for his dictatorial tendencies.

Aquino was warmly welcomed upon his arrival in Davao del Sur. He thanked the community for supporting him since 2010.

Quoting a report from GMA News, Aquino said Duterte had told media about his readiness to abolish Congress if threatened with impeachment.

Asked whether his plan to abolish Congress is a form of dictatorship, Aquino quoted Duterte as saying: “I will be the Congress. I will be the president.”

“He (Duterte) might say what he plans to do isn’t martial law. Okay, it might have a different name. But if you disregard the Constitution we agreed upon in 1987 and you change it, the logical question is: what do you follow instead? ‘That’s up to me.’ Who will implement this? ‘That’s up to me too.’ Who will we follow? ‘Me, of course.’ To whom do we complain? ‘To me.’ But what if you’re wrong? ‘You’ll have to deal with this.’ It’s that simple, isn’t it?”

He said Filipinos should not be misled by bombastic speeches and declarations.

“On Monday, we will vote, so we have to make this clear: what will we choose? Don’t be swayed by ‘Wow, he’s different.’ The way he speaks is different. But is that enough? Will the way he speaks bring a kilo of rice to the table? If we need allies and you greet them rudely, how many will be on our side? Our enemy over the South China Sea is a powerhouse,” he said.  –  With Delon Porcalla, Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero