Duterte assures support to local officials regardless of party affiliation

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night committed to provide assistance to all local government officials regardless of party affiliation.

Speaking before a gathering of local chief executives in Cebu City, Duterte said every local government unit would be getting a fair shake under his administration.

“Dito sinabi ko kay Diokno talagang lahat mabigyan. Wala akong kontra-partido, kontra-partido. Lahat kayo nabibigyan,” Duterte said, referring to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

“If there’s anything I can really do for you, personally or if you want my intervention in your governance, may nahirapan kayo dito o kulang ang pera ninyo, sabihin mo lang,” he added.

In the same speech, Duterte reiterated that he would quit the presidency if the country has shifted to a federal government by 2020.

“Pagdating ng 2020, if it’s already perfected, I will step down, I promise you that. That is my commitment to you, mga governors pati mayors,” he said.

Duterte repeatedly said he had no intentions of becoming dictator. He even dared the military to arrest or shoot him should he perpetuate himself in power. —KG, GMA News