Duterte urges Filipinos to rally behind president-elect Marcos

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday called on Filipinos to stop “politicking” and rally behind the incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In his weekly “Talk to the People” briefing, Duterte advised the public to “come to terms with the reality,” stressing the majority have already chosen the country’s next leaders.

Marcos Jr. won in a landslide in the recently concluded 2022 national and local elections, receiving 31,629,783 votes. His running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the President's daughter, was also proclaimed vice-president with 32,208,417 votes.

“I hope that everybody will come to terms with reality. You have with you a new government and I urge kayong mga Pilipino to rally behind and support the leaders,” said Duterte. “You want the next administration to be successful.”

“We must all be united in confronting the issues ahead of us. We have no room for politicking or actions that are divisive to the country. Nagsalita na ang mga tao. May mga lider tayo and me, wala na ako. I will say nothing. Ang ayaw ko baka may maiwan pa. Namumulitika pa rin,” he added.

(The people have already spoken. We already have our new leaders and me, I'll be gone. I will say nothing. My only concern is some people will be left and continue politicking.)

Duterte further urged Filipinos' “cooperation” and “support,” saying Marcos Jr. would need it in leading the country in the next six years.

“We must give it to him. That’s democracy. That’s how we operate. ‘Pag nagsalita na ang taong-bayan kung sino ang leader na gusto nila, dun tayo,” he said.

(When the people have already chosen their leaders, that’s where we should go.)

Duterte did not endorse any of the candidates in last month's election.

The outgoing President is set to step down from his post on June 30, 2022. Last week, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte is considering becoming a teacher after the expiry of his term. — BM, GMA News