Duterte Claims One Of The Presidential Bets Using Cocaine

President Duterte claimed on Thursday, Nov. 18, that a candidate for president is using cocaine and has a “weak” character as he endorsed the presidential bid of his former aide Sen. Bong Go.

Duterte did not identify the candidate but claimed that the presidential aspirant comes from a wealthy family.

"I will not make it clear now. Because there’s even a presidential candidate who is using cocaine... We have a candidate who is using cocaine, these are children of the wealthy," the President said during a meeting of the regional anti-insurgency task force in Mindoro.

"Kaya nagtaka ako, ano’ng nagawa ng tao na ‘yun (I am wondering, what has this person done?) I am just asking, what contribution has he made for the Philippines? I want to ask why Filipinos act like crazy supporting (the candidate), I ask you, what has he done? He is using cocaine," he added.

Duterte claimed he is not sowing intrigue and that people may ask around in Davao and Manila if they want to verify his claim. The President went on to claim that the presidential aspirant is a “weak leader.”

“I am not envious. In politics, there is a winner and a loser. That's the way it is. If you run out of luck, then you lose. But their fascination with this candidate, maybe they do not know,” he said.

“I'm not worried. It's up to you...I am telling you, he is a very weak leader, except for the name...The father.... but him, what has he done? If that's what the Filipino wants, go ahead.”

In the same event, Duterte expressed support for Go, who is running for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan.

"I am not into politicking. Let me just state for the record and in no uncertain terms that my candidate for president is Bong Go," the President, who is running for senator, said.