President Duterte: “Mamili na kayo kung sinong Ilocano na leader ang ilagay ninyo doon.”
PRESIDENT DUTERTE — The Philippine President told a crowd in Ilocos Sur that they can choose an Ilocano leader when his term ends.
According to the President, there are only 3 or 4 Cabinet members who are Bisaya and the rest are Ilocanos.
Some of the Ilocano officials the President named were Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
The President went on to urge Ilocanos to choose an Ilocano leader when his term ends.
“In my Cabinet, apat o tatlo na lang kaming Bisaya, ang naiwan puro mga Ilocano na,” the President said. “Kaya ibigay ko na lang ‘yan… aalis na ako sa Malacañang. Mamili na kayo kung sinong Ilocano na leader ang ilagay ninyo doon.”
President Duterte made the remark during the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers Market in the Municipality of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur last March 4, 2022.
READ ALSO: President Duterte Willing To Hand Over Cabinet Members To Next Admin
The President remained firm in his stance not to endorse any presidential candidate for the 2022 elections, adding that he prefers to “stay neutral” nearly a month into the campaign period.
President Duterte has adopted a hands-off stance even as his daughter, vice-presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is running along with former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is an Ilocano.
The President previously said that he would reveal in the future some issues against the presidential candidates, though he singled out Bongbong for being “spoiled” and a “weak leader”.
Meanwhile, the faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said that the President will start campaigning for PDP-Laban national and local candidates on March 25.
The Duterte-backed party wing has adopted Mayor Sara as its vice-presidential candidate.
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