Duterte: Don't take my preposterous statements seriously

Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is enjoying his last few weeks hence people should not take his "preposterous" statements seriously.

In a news conference that started midnight and lasted up to the wee hours of Thursday morning, Duterte told Manila-based reporters who are in Davao City to hound the incoming president to ask their local counterparts if what he said was a serious matter or he's just joking.

"I am enjoying my last days. Ganito ako, kaya sabi ko... if it is a preposterous, ridiculous or out of the blue statement, kalabitin mo yung taga-Davao. Sabihin mo lang, 'anong sinasabi ng loko-loking ito?'" Duterte said replying to a question by GMA News reporter Mariz Umali.

Asked how would people know if he's just joking, Duterte replied,"If it's ridiculous, ano ba 'tong gago?"

"Gaya ng sabi ko that I will take my oath and I will invite a few people para walang istorbo, walang obligadong pumunta doon. Gusto ko nga PSG (Presidential Security Group) magbakasyon na sila. Basta iiwanan mo lang ako ng M-16. Bakasyon lang sila, OK lang sa akin," he added.

However, Duterte promised he will no longer answer questions ridiculously once he sits as president for his statements will be taken as policy statements.

"Hindi na, Hindi na ako magbiro ng five minutes, five minutes," he said.

Dark humor

The tough-talking Davao City mayor is also known for his dark humor.

Some people however, have been taking his statements seriously especially when he said that he has "stage 4 cancer".

"Then I found out that stage four yung cancer ko. Yung lungs ko wala nang pumapasok na hangin. Yung ano ko, wala na talaga," Duterte said in jest.

Some people who heard/read his remark expressed their concern for the incoming president's health while some called for prayers.

"Wala. I'm dying so what's the problem? Wala na. I'm dying," Duterte said.

Mariz Umali's report said it seemed that Duterte disliked questions concerning his health.

"What's your other purpose for that except to write 'he lied about his health, maybe because he's about to die'," he said.

He added, "I'm dying. Ano ba namang purpose magtanong-tanong ng ganun? Because I'm bad in health, I can't be good president? Or a bad president because I'm suffering?"

To prove that he is in good health, he challenged those who attended his press conference to run with him on the treadmill.

"Sinong gusto mag-accept ng challenge? Ngayon na! Pagkatapos!," Duterte said.

"Buksan ko and I will do the treadmill one hour and 30 minutes. Sobrahan ko, pag I falter, I resign. But if I go two hours, you resign. Sino sa inyo?" he said. — APG, GMA News