President Duterte: “Sa college, ROTC, may ginawa ako para ma-exempted ako.”
PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE — The outgoing President bared that he sought exemption from the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program when he was in college.
In June 2019, the President certified as urgent the measure that would bring back the ROTC program in public and private senior high schools. However, the said bill didn’t pass Congress.
Even as the President pushed to revive the said program, he bared that he sought exemption when he was in college.
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In his remarks before Filipino athletes who took part in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the outgoing President shared that he did something to get him exempted from the program.
“Sa college, ROTC may ginawa ako para ma-exempted ako. Alam mong ginawa
ko? Sabi ko, ‘Sir, paano ba tayo? … itong ROTC hindi ko matapos-tapos.’ Sabi niya ‘Eh kung may sakit ka, okay yan,’” the President said.
The President then ordered the camera crew to stop the livestream and said, “atin-atin lang ito“. For a few seconds, the President could still be heard talking before the livestream ended.
Also in his speech before the athletes, the outgoing President lauded them for showcasing their talents and giving their best despite the limitations in their training because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I graduated sa high school seven years. Ni minsan sa buhay ko totoo ‘yan walang panahon na umakyat ang nanay ko lalo na ang tatay ko umakyat ng stage para to — wala,” the President shared. “Kasi hindi naman ako atleta, payat kasi ako hanggang ngayon. So ganito talaga ako walang tatanggap sa akin.“
Meanwhile, the President said that he will teach criminal law and proceedings in a police academy in Davao City after stepping down as the Philippines’ commander-in-chief.
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