MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte urged political candidates on Thursday to contribute in ensuring a “clean and honest” election on May 9, emphasizing that failure to do so would be a “insult” to the Filipino people.
“Kaya ang sinabi ko sa lahat ng politiko (That’s why I’m telling all politicians), give us a clean and honest elections…Insulto sa atin ‘yan, sa inyo (It would be an insult to us, to you),” he said in a speech during the 43rd Commencement Exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Alab-Kalis” Class of 2022 in Silang, Cavite.
Earlier, Duterte said it would be his “highest honor” to turn over the reins of his power knowing that he did his best to serve the Filipino nation.
On May 9, the Philippines will conduct national and local elections, marking the country’s first national elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Duterte reiterated his plan to use the “Alunan doctrine”, which limits the number of armed guards of politicians in the country beset by political violence.
The Alunan doctrine was established by then Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III, who served from 1992 to 1998 under Fidel Ramos’ administration.
“Yung mga politiko, ang dapat lang sa kanila according to the Alunan doctrine na (Politicians should adhere to the Alunan doctrine which states that) more than two armed is already a private army,” he added.
He also urged PNPA cadets who may be deployed as candidates’ bodyguards to strictly adhere to the Alunan doctrine.
“If you happen to be assigned as a security, sabihin mo lang doon sa amo mo, ‘Sir, ito ang limitasyon (tell your boss ‘Sir, this is my limitation)…I cannot be a part of the politics here and I am only duty-bound what is the mandate of the law’,” he said.
The candidates who have more than two bodyguards were warned earlier by Duterte that they would be arrested and prosecuted by the government.
According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, the Department of the Interior and Local Government logged a total of 2,536 gun ban violations from Jan. 9 to April 18 that resulted in the arrest of 2,653 people.
The authorities, he said, seized 974 deadly weapons, 2,013 firearms, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
He added that as of April 18, at least 5,809 firearms have been surrendered.
The nationwide gun ban took effect on Jan. 9 and will end on June 8.
3 Replies to “Duterte reminds poll bets to ensure clean, honest May 9 elections”