President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 4, said he is unfazed by any coup attempts and mass demonstrations against him, challenging those who are against his administration to run the government if they can.

Speaking before the members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) during their Regional Convention at the Manila Hotel, President Duterte said he is not worried about rallies and coup plots.

“‘Yung ayaw sa akin, madali yan… no need for coup d’etat… you are wasting your bullet,” Duterte said.

He said that if someone is prepared to run the government, he can step down immediately.

“Go to Malacañan, we’ll have coffee and I myself will swear you to run this Republic and solve the problem. Walang problema. Next year, there will be mass demonstration, for all I care. Wala akong illusions. Do not give me a reason to go out because you might get your wish,” Duterte said.

President Duterte however warned that the presidency is no easy task.

“I cross the river at one o’clock in the afternoon and last night, [I] went back alas tres. Araw-araw ‘yan ah. Kung ganyan naman trabahong ibibigay mo sa akin, I can only endure that much,” Duterte said.

“Pagdating ko doon lahat ng Department may folder… That is the work for the day and I read it until morning time making marginal notes, disapproving and that is it,” he added.

Duterte said he will not allow anyone to commit a mistake if the country is at stake.

According to President Duterte, he had no intention to run for President but what motivated him was patriotism.

“For the simple reason that at that time, the issues that were really critical to the country were never brought to the fore before the national arena. And I was thinking that if somebody won’t do it, then Mindanao could probably be a fractured island, if not totally lost from the rest of the Republic,” he said.

Duterte said that as long as he is President, he will be relentless in his campaign to end illegal drugs, lawlessness and corruption.
“Ang promise ko sa inyo, inshallah. God-willing. That promise, that this campaign against this drugs and criminality will not stop ‘til the end of my term,” he said.

“I will assure you, I will stop corruption during my term,” he added, noting that anyone can call 8888 to report erring government officials or employees.PND