By Joey Pavia / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday paid a courtesy call on Pampanga’s top local officials and said that he will not run for president in 2016.
Duterte told Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda: “I am too old. I am 72. My family doesn’t want me to seek the highest post in the land.”
Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda and other local officials also welcomed Duterte, who ate lunch at the governor’s office after speaking with the provincial officials.
“As Mayor Duterte said, there is no politics. He just dropped by before attending the event of the Pampanga businessmen,” Pineda said.
Duterte was set to speak before the event, organized by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Levy Laus.
Pineda in April visited Davao City and expressed admiration over the “best practices” of the city.
“They have a great solid waste management system and doesn’t rely much on the IRA [internal revenue allotment]. Davao’s government is rich and its people obey the rules,” Pineda added.
Extreme measures vs hardened criminals
Meanwhile, in another statement, Duterte, who is being touted as a potential presidential candidate next year, batted for a return of the death penalty for heinous crimes, saying executing hardened criminals can be an effective deterrent to criminality.
The tough-talking mayor said that if he becomes president, he would also enforce a nationwide smoking ban and a ban on serving alcoholic drinks in bars or restaurants after midnight.
Defending the need for death penalty, Duterte said extreme measures are needed against heinous crimes, which have been on the rise in the country.
“If I were president, I would bring back the death penalty for crimes like drug trafficking, rape and kidnapping,” he said.
Duterte has been batting for the reimposition of the death penalty for years now.
Duterte said he agrees with the execution of hardened criminals because “crime makes life miserable for law-abiding citizens.”
Aside from bringing back the capital punishment, Duterte said he would duplicate the successful smoking ban in this city nationwide.
While alcoholic drinks would be permitted, establishments would be barred from serving these after midnight, he said.
Also, if he becomes president, Duterte said there would be no more overspeeding.
In Davao City vehicles are not allowed to travel past 30 kilometers per hour in the downtown area.