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Published May 4, 2018
President Duterte denied that he is a ‘strongman,’ saying he has not imprisoned anyone who has criticized him or his government.
Duterte made the statement after the TIME Magazine labeled him as a “strongman” and included him in the cover of its May 14, 2018 international edition.
Joining him in the cover are Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The story described the Philippine President as a “former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a President, on his promises to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice.”
Duterte, in a speech in Davao City Friday evening, denied that he is a strongman and said that he can take any criticism to him by the Filipinos.
“Isa raw ako sa mga strongmen. Hindi naman ako strongman (They said I am one of the strongmen. I am not a strongman). I have never sent anyone to prison because they criticized me. I have never sent anyone to jail for talking or badmouthing me,” Duterte said.
“You can criticize me and bullshit me to no end. I can take that because you are my employer. I am just a government worker. Use your freedom of expression,” he added.
However, Duterte said that while he can take the words of his fellow Filipinos, he will not allow other countries to badmouth or criticize him.
“Pero kung foreigner ka, that is another thing. Maski madre ka, maski sabihin mo religious ka (But if you are a foreigner, that is another thing. Even if you are a nun, or religious), Duterte said.
The President was referring to the order of the Bureau of Immigration to Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox to leave the country for her alleged participation in political rallies.
The President also said that he is only trying to fulfill his campaign promise of ridding the country of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
“Kailan pa ba ako nag-hari-hari sa Pilipinas (When did I ever act that I rule this country)? That is my promise,” Duterte said.
Malacañang earlier said that despite the slant presented by TIME Magazine, Duterte’s administration is well appreciated by the Filipinos as evidenced by his high trust and satisfaction ratings.
The Palace also said that Filipinos are now used to Duterte’s colorful language and know that while his words are sometimes extreme, his commitment to serve the country is real.
This was not the first time that President Duterte has been featured in the TIME Magazine. In April last year, Duterte led TIME’s online poll for the 2017 Top 100 most influential people. He had also graced the cover of TIME Magazine where he was dubbed as ‘The Punisher’ in its May 23, 2016 issue.
President Duterte denied that he is a ‘strongman,’ saying he has not imprisoned anyone who has criticized him or his government.
Duterte made the statement after the TIME Magazine labeled him as a “strongman” and included him in the cover of its May 14, 2018 international edition.
Joining him in the cover are Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The story described the Philippine President as a “former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a President, on his promises to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice.”
Duterte, in a speech in Davao City Friday evening, denied that he is a strongman and said that he can take any criticism to him by the Filipinos.
“Isa raw ako sa mga strongmen. Hindi naman ako strongman (They said I am one of the strongmen. I am not a strongman). I have never sent anyone to prison because they criticized me. I have never sent anyone to jail for talking or badmouthing me,” Duterte said.
“You can criticize me and bullshit me to no end. I can take that because you are my employer. I am just a government worker. Use your freedom of expression,” he added.
However, Duterte said that while he can take the words of his fellow Filipinos, he will not allow other countries to badmouth or criticize him.
“Pero kung foreigner ka, that is another thing. Maski madre ka, maski sabihin mo religious ka (But if you are a foreigner, that is another thing. Even if you are a nun, or religious), Duterte said.
The President was referring to the order of the Bureau of Immigration to Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox to leave the country for her alleged participation in political rallies.
The President also said that he is only trying to fulfill his campaign promise of ridding the country of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
“Kailan pa ba ako nag-hari-hari sa Pilipinas (When did I ever act that I rule this country)? That is my promise,” Duterte said.
Malacañang earlier said that despite the slant presented by TIME Magazine, Duterte’s administration is well appreciated by the Filipinos as evidenced by his high trust and satisfaction ratings.
The Palace also said that Filipinos are now used to Duterte’s colorful language and know that while his words are sometimes extreme, his commitment to serve the country is real.
This was not the first time that President Duterte has been featured in the TIME Magazine. In April last year, Duterte led TIME’s online poll for the 2017 Top 100 most influential people. He had also graced the cover of TIME Magazine where he was dubbed as ‘The Punisher’ in its May 23, 2016 issue.
