PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he would be exiting the gates of the Malacañang compound in June “fulfilled” knowing that he had accomplished everything he promised the people when he was campaigning for the presidency in 2016.
Duterte made this statement as he led the inauguration of the newly constructed Cancer Diagnostic Institute Building and Cancer Treatment Facility Building of the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City Friday evening, March 25.
In his speech, the President, who is turning 77 on March 28, said that he feels fulfilled with everything he has accomplished as a father and government worker.
“Fulfilled na ako sa lahat ng bagay. Wala na akong mahingi (I feel fulfilled about everything. I couldn’t ask for more),” he said.
“Kung maghingi pa ako sa Diyos ng marami, sabihin ng Diyos, ‘P***** i** ka, ka-hangol (greedy) mo naman. Umabot ka na diyan…’ (If I would ask God for more, He may curse at me and tell me I’m greedy because I already made it this far),” he added.
According to the President, his children are now set for life, with one of them, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, even running for vice president in the 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, Duterte looked back at how he spent his time as the country’s leader.
“Well, but it was all work. Sabihin ko sa inyo, ang taong mag-ambisyong mag-Presidente, g***. [laughter] Ah g***. Kagaya ko, minsan mamayat ako, minsan tataba ako (I’ll tell you, anybody who aspires to become president is stupid. Like me, sometime’s I’ll lose weight, sometimes I’ll gain it back),” he said.
“When you get to study all documents of the Republic of the Philippines from all places, provinces, and cities, mawalaan ka ng (you’ll lose) stamina. Sometimes you finish reading —Matatapos ako niyan mga alas siyete, alas otso bago ako makatulog (I’ll finish at 7 or 8 a.m. before I sleep),” he added.
Despite this, President Duterte said he would “come home” knowing that he had fulfilled all his promises.
“So I am on the sunset of my life… I’m coming home, God willing,” he said.
“Nakita ko Pilipinas, okay naman (I see the Philippines in a good state),” he added.
Duterte, in particular, cited his quest to maintain law and order, his drug war, the passage of the Universal Health Care Act, the Free Tertiary Education Act, and the Free Irrigation Act.
“Ngayon na pabalik na ako, matanda na man ako, 77 years old, ewan ko kung anong magdating sa akin… Fulfilled na ako (Now that I’m coming home, I’m old, I’m 77. I don’t know what’s in store for me. But I’m fulfilled now),” he said. (Argyll Cyrus Geducos/ MB)
