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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Today's political stars will be nobodies tomorrow - Duterte

Today's political stars will be nobodies tomorrow - Duterte

Published Nov 22, 2019 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling They may be today's political stars but their shine will eventually fade. President Duterte said Thursday night that he and some politicians are the "brightest stars" of the political arena at the moment. President Rodrigo Duterte (ALBERT ALCAIN / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) President Rodrigo Duterte (ALBERT ALCAIN / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The President, a former Davao City mayor who rose to the presidency in 2016, admitted though that they would eventually lose their shine when their term ends. Duterte talked about "a time for everything" when it comes to his political fate as well as those of Senator Christopher Go and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano during his visit to Taguig City Thursday night. "A time to --- may mga ambisyon ka and a time also to be disappointed. Kagaya ko, Senator, si Congresswoman, ah si Senator Bong, Speaker, we are the brightest stars today. Magtingin ka sa political na langit at makikita mo kami shining," he said in his remarks at the Taguig Center for the Elderly. "But I know that in about two years’ time, that light would dim and I would be nothing," he said. Duterte acknowledged that such fate of politicians was part of life. "Ganun ang buhay . There is a time for everything in this world. So, a time to be young and a time to be old. And a time to be grateful and a time to be just ano --- walang iba," he added. He maintained that the presidency is "a gift from God.” "The more you covet for it, mas hindi ibigay ng Diyos. Hayaan mo lang. Kung ano lang ibigay. At what are your expectations? None. I leave it to God. He’s everything," he added. Duterte scored a landslide victory in the 2016 presidential elections on a campaign promise to combat illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption. He has sustained his public trust and approval ratings despite criticisms of alleged abuses in his controversial war on drugs. Go and Cayetano were among the government officials present during the President's visit to the wellness hub for senior citizens. Before he was elected senator, Go served as the President's longtime aide. Despite his senatorial win, he remained by the President's side and joined him in some activities here and abroad. Cayetano, a former senator, lost in the last vice presidential race. The former running mate of Duterte later served as Foreign Affairs Secretary and was elected representative of Taguig. He currently serves as House Speaker as part of a term-sharing deal with another administration ally, Marinduque Rep. Allan Lord Velasco.  
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