Duterte asks public to back Marcos, goes to the mall

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on the Filipino people to support the newly installed administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Let us give all our support to the new administration...tulungan natin sila [let us help them]," Duterte said in a video taken by former Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Duterte, whose term ended at Thursday noon, also praised his Cabinet as one of the best.

"I am a student of government. I have been in the government for so long. I assembled one of the best Cabinet ever," he said.

"Totoong-totoo 'yan. Piling pili ko [That is the truth. I carefully chose them]," Duterte added.

Meanwhile, a report on Super Radyo DZBB by Luisito Santos said Duterte was seen shopping and having lunch at a mall in Makati City after leaving Malacañang for the last time as president.

The report said Duterte was accompanied  by members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG.)

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, this was not the first time Duterte went to a mall after special events.

Duterte often goes to a luxury watch store, while he also went to a mall to buy a bag last 2017.

Asked why he decided to come to the mall after he left Malacañang Palace, Duterte said “Kain (To eat), that is my favorite restaurant.”

“There is a new government. The transition has been completed and we only have one country and so we only have one president. He is now the head of the government. We should give Marcos our full support,” Duterte said.

“Huwag na natin guluhin kasi isang bayan lang ito. You know [pag-gumulo] wala ng katapusan, this country will never find peace,” he added.

Duterte is set to return to his hometown in Davao City on Thursday afternoon.

He said he waited for this day because he was tired and needed to take some rest.

“It is a killing job so if you really want to be a president… [it will] deprive you of so much sleep,” he said.

He also said that he misses riding his motorbike and plans to travel to several towns in Mindanao.

Duterte thanked Filipinos for their support throughout the six years of his term.

He said he wants the new administration to continue his Build, Build, Build; peace and order; and health programs.

Asked about what he and Marcos talked about before he left Malacañang, Duterte said, “State secrets.”

Duterte also wished Marcos good luck.

He said that he has not yet talked to his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, due to their busy schedules.

Meanwhile, a warm welcome was expected in Davao City for Duterte's arrival on Thursday night.

“Dabawenyo niya siya at talagang proud yung mga Dabawenyo na after six years na ginawa niya sa buong bayan, buong bansa ay babal?k na siya sa kanyang siyudad. Pinapasalamatan po siya ng mga Dabawenyo sa ginawa niya sa buong Pilipinas,” Senator Bong Go said.

(He is from Davao and they are proud of him after his six years of service to the country. He now returns to his hometown. They are proud of him for what he did for the country.) —KBK, GMA News