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THE GIST
NEWS AND FEATURES
Global Philippines Fine Living
INSIGHTS
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Economy Stocks Bonds Currencies
THE BASICS
Investment Tips Explainers Retirement
WEBINARS
2024 Mid-Year Economi Briefing, economic growth in the Philippines
2024 Mid-Year Economic Briefing: Navigating the Easing Cycle
June 21, 2024
Investing with Love
Investing with Love: A Mother’s Guide to Putting Money to Work
May 15, 2024
retirement-ss-3
Investor Series: An Introduction to Estate Planning
September 1, 2023
View All Webinars
DOWNLOADS
economy-ss-8
Inflation Update: Weak demand softens shocks
July 4, 2025 DOWNLOAD
948 x 535 px AdobeStock_433552847
Economic Updates
Monthly Economic Update: Fed cuts incoming   
June 30, 2025 DOWNLOAD
equities-3may23-2
Consensus Pricing
Consensus Pricing – June 2025
June 25, 2025 DOWNLOAD
View all Reports
Reuters 2 MIN READ

Philippines’ Duterte says cocaine user among presidential election candidates

November 18, 2021By Reuters
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MANILA, Nov 18 (Reuters) – Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte declared on Thursday in a televised speech that an unnamed candidate for next year’s presidential election was a cocaine user.

Duterte, who waged a war on drugs that killed thousands of users and peddlers, did not name the candidate, nor provide evidence to support his allegation, but said he was “a very weak leader”.

Dozens of people have registered to run for president in next year’s polls. Duterte, 76, is not eligible for re-election due to the constitution’s one-term limit.

“We have a candidate using cocaine,” Duterte said in a speech in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

“That is why I am wondering, ‘What has this person done? What contribution has he made for the Philippines?”

“Why are the Filipinos crazy supporting … I am just asking,” said Duterte, who will run for a seat in the senate next year.

Reuters asked Duterte’s acting spokesperson, Karlo Nograles, who the president was referring to and for more details, but received no immediate response.

“He is a very weak leader,” the outspoken Duterte said of the unnamed candidate. “He might win hands down. If that is what the Filipino wants, go ahead,” he said in the speech, confirmed by a transcript provided by his office.

“I am not making intrigues. It is up to you. Find out who.”

In the same speech he praised his chosen successor and longtime aide, Christopher “Bong” Go, a senator who is seeking the presidency.

Other prominent presidential candidates include senator and retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso, senator and former police chief Panfilio Lacson, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son and namesake of the late Philippines dictator, whose running mate is Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty and Daniel Wallis)

((karen.lema@thomsonreuters.com; +632 841-8938;))

This article originally appeared on reuters.com

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