By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: PCOO

There are three qualities Filipinos should look for in the next Philippine president for the 2022 national elections, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, March 12.

First, the next president, according to Duterte, must be compassionate and really understanding of Filipinos’ concerns as he cited his father, late Davao governor Vicente Duterte, who served the province from 1959 to 1965.

"Makita ko yung maawa na walang matulugan. Mga taga-Danao, lalo na yung hometown niya. Magtira sa bahay. Yung ganun, sanay kami. Sanay akong makitang mahirap kaya na-develop ko yung pagkamaawain ako,” he said during the exit interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) News.

Second, his successor must be a lawyer and a decisive person. However, presidential aspirants Leni Robredo and Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. are the only lawyers out of the ten hopefuls of the country’s highest seat.

"Sana abugado. Isang tingin mo lang, maka-decide ka na agad under repercussions. Whatever kind of issue, alam nila," he added.

Lastly, he said that the next president must be “a good judge of people’s character.”

"He must be a good judge of tao (people)...So you are able to delegate these powers because you know their character," the chief executive said.

Aside from the aforementioned three qualities, Duterte noted that his successor must also be competent in foreign policies and in addressing territorial disputes, particularly the incursions happening in the West Philippine Sea.

“You should be prepared to tackle each and every problem,” Duterte said. “Isang tingin mo lang maka-decide ka na kaagad, and the repercussions, alam mo na kung ano (You should know how to make a prompt decision and the possible repercussions of your [actions]),” he added.

With 57 days left before the polls, ten presidential and nine vice presidential aspirants are wooing Filipinos to clinch the two highest positions of the country, succeeding Duterte and presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo, whose terms will end on June 30, 2022.


Edited by: Phylline Calubayan