WATCH: Duterte says he is tired and thinking of stepping down
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:52 p.m., Aug. 15, 2018) — President Rodrigo Duterte has again floated the scenario of him stepping down, citing that he is tired with his seemingly endless fight to curb corruption in the government.
Duterte said he mentioned his intention to leave his post about two weeks ago during a command conference at Malacañan with the police and military.
"Sinabi ko sa mga sundalo at sa mga pulis, 'Guys, I want you to know that I am thinking of [stepping] down because I’m tired," the president said on Tuesday during the launching of the Go Negosyo’s “Pilipinas Angat Lahat” program.
"While I am not against or angry against anybody. My chase against graft and corruption seems to be endless and it has contaminated almost all government departments and offices," he added.
The president in many speeches had raised his desire to resign.
At the beginning of his term, Duterte has vowed he would resign if he fails to solve the country's drug problem in three to six months.
In November last year, he said he would resign once an acceptable federal constitution that would replace the current one is crafted.
A month later he again threatened to leave office if Congress fails to approve his campaign vow to raise the pay of the country's uniformed personnel.
When Duterte approved the draft constitution prepared by his appointed consultative committee in July this year, he tried to dispel allegations that he would use it to hold on to power by saying that he is ready to step down to let a "younger" leader supervise the transition to a federal government.
However, Duterte said in the same month that he would not resign as it would mean that Vice President Leni Robredo would become president.
In his speech on Tuesday, Duterte repeated this sentiment.
"I am hesitant to suggest a constitutional succession. I have nothing against Robredo. She’s a lawyer. You have heard her talk. But I do not think she can improve on anything here," Duterte said. He added that he prefers a junta—a council or committee, sometimes composed of the military—to lead the country.
The president also claimed that the vice president’s bailiwick, Naga City, has been a "hotbed of shabu."
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