MANILA, Feb 27 (NNN-PNA) – Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, said, he demanded the security forces to create “an environment conducive to a fair and honest election,” to be held on May 9.
“The military and the police will see to it that the men mandated by the Constitution, upon their shoulders, will produce a clean and honest election,” the 76-year-old Philippine leader told a television interview, Friday night.
Duterte vowed to ensure that peace reigns during the election, so that people can vote freely for their chosen candidates and that no politicians resort to intimidation to win vote.
Duterte said, he would stay “neutral” on the presidential candidate, who will replace him.
“I will retire from politics,” Duterte said, adding, “If called upon by my country, or whoever is in power who will seek my help or advice, I can always give him one or two suggestions.”
Duterte, who won the presidency in 2016, vowed to “place things in order.”
“As I have said, at the start of the campaign (in 2016) … I will try to make this country comfortable for you,” he said.
At least 67.5 million Filipinos have registered to vote, including 1.8 million voters overseas. They will elect a new president, vice president, about 300 lawmakers, and over 18,000 positions as local officials.
There are 10 presidential candidates and nine candidates for the vice president. According to surveys, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 64, the son of former President, Ferdinand Marcos, is leading in the opinion polls.
Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor, Sara Duterte-Carpio, is bidding for vice president, as the running mate of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.– NNN-PNA
