Duterte vows loyalty to the people, not Arroyo

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday declared his loyalty to the Dabawenyos and not to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This amid talk that the mayor is distancing himself from the President in the midst of the growing dissent against the Arroyo administration in light of the ZTE deal controversy. In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte vehemently denied that his marked absence in the latest visit of President Arroyo in Davao City last week was because he no longer supports the President. "I am not ready to demand the resignation of the President because wala akong makitang dahilan (I see no reason to). Let us just wait for the result of the investigation. There is no need to defend the President if she's telling the truth," Duterte said. The mayor added that if and when investigations on the ZTE deal would prove the alleged anomaly, then that is when he would decide on his course of action. "I will cross the bridge when I get there," said Duterte. The mayor said he sympathizes with the people who are demanding the resignation of Arroyo, but at the same time pointed out that the President must be given the chance to prove her innocence. Duterte assured Dabawenyos he will act accordingly to what the truth is and will not allow anyone to use him for their selfish end. "Di ko pagamit nila. Mas maayo pang ako na lang mu-resign una kung gamiton lang ko nila (I will not let others use me. I would prefer to resign than be used)," he said. - Sun.Star