President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., upon arrival for the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON 2013) at the 3rd Floor, SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City on Thursday (March 07, 2013). The MICE Conference is a prestigious gathering of key players in the travel and tourism industry. The conference will provide the Host an opportunity to showcase its destinations to approximately 400 stakeholders in the tourism industry comprised of: travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, resort owners, professional congress/ exhibition/event organizers, association/corporate executives, destination management companies, airline representatives, local government officials, academe, students and the media. (MNS photo)).
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte may not have made up his mind yet about Malacanang but it looks like he is weighing the odds of a presidential bid.
His political adviser Lito Banayo said Duterte has been visiting provinces to get the pulse of the people.
Banayo said Duterte has also agreed to join immersion seminars with experts from various fields to firm up his possible platform.
He said he expects numbers and analysis on Duterte’s prospects to trickle in by April. He said it’s either the presidency or nothing once Duterte decides.
“Kinlaro ko yun sa kanya noong Jan. 8. Kung saka-sakali ba, willing ka ba to slide down to vice president? At ang sabi niya, kung tatakbo at all, it’s the presidency. Otherwise I’ll just remain mayor of Davao,” he said.
Meanwhile, a political analyst believes Duterte’s presidential prospects will not be hurt by his lack of experience in holding a national post.
Prof. Francisco Magno said voters need to see what a presidential candidate is capable of and Duterte has a track record that can be reviewed.
“Ang mga botante rin, kailangan makita nila yung gagawin ng magiging presidente as a national policymaker….Sa ibang bansa, parating nangyayari yan. Yung presidente ng Indonesia, mayor ng Jakarta. At marami pang ibang examples. Kasi nga pag naging presidente ka, governance. Kailangan alam mo yung administration,” he said. (MNS)