DAVAO CITY—Presidential
frontrunner Rodrigo R. Duterte extended his hand of reconciliation to political
rivals as he called for national healing following a bitter campaign in the
race for the presidency that saw all candidates throwing mud at each other on
May 10.
“I would like now reach my
hand to my opponents and let us begin the process of healing,” Duterte said in
a well-attended press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, where he went
straight after casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School
in Matina.
Although acknowledging that
the exchange of innuendoes is part of the election process in the Philippines,
he admitted that the mudslinging during the campaign period was very intense
and virulent.
“Let us begin to forget, and
let us be friends,” he said.
The 71-year-old local chief
executive is contesting the presidency against administration candidate Manuel
“Mar” A. Roxas II, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and senators Mary Grace
Natividad Poe-Llamanzares and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
When asked if he is also
reaching out to vice presidential candidate and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV—his
most ardent critic during the campaign—Mr. Duterte said his peace offering is
intended for everybody.
Should his rivals refuse his
call, Mr. Duterte said he cannot do anything about it.
During the past three months,
Mr. Duterte engaged Messrs. Roxas and Binay in a fiery verbal clash over issues
as they toured the countryside to court votes.
But, it was Mr. Duterte
himself who absorbed the stinging blows in the final two weeks of the campaign
when Mr. Trillanes hurled several accusations against the presidential
frontrunner.
Mr. Duterte was also a victim
of a highly controversial political television advertisement allegedly paid for
by Mr. Trillanes, although this was stopped after his running mate, vice
presidential aspirant Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, was able to secure a
temporary restraining order (TRO) that prohibited the television network from
further airing the ad.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte said
he is satisfied with the conduct of the national and local elections.
“So, far I have not received
any reports of cheating and violation,” he said.
The mayor also made it clear
to journalists that he is will not be presumptuous on the result of the electoral
exercise.
“I remain only hopeful as of
this time,” Mr. Duterte said.
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