1. Quotes
  2. Authors
  3. Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte Quotes

Rodrigo Roa Duterte , also known as Digong and Rody, is a Filipino politician who is the 16th and incumbent President of the Philippines and the first from Mindanao to hold the office. He is the chairperson of PDP–Laban, the ruling political party. Duterte took office at age 71 on June 30, 2016, making him the oldest person to assume the Philippine presidency; the record was previously held by Sergio Osmeña at the age of 65.



Born in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Duterte studied political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, graduating in 1968, before obtaining a law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1972. He then worked as a lawyer and was a prosecutor for Davao City, before becoming vice mayor and, subsequently, mayor of the city in the wake of the Philippine Revolution of 1986. Duterte won seven terms and served as mayor of Davao for over 22 years.

Frequently described as a populist and a nationalist, Duterte's political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial killing of drug users and other criminals. Human rights groups have documented over 1,400 killings allegedly by death squads operating in Davao between 1998 and May 2016; the victims were mainly drug users, petty criminals and street children. A 2009 report by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights confirmed the "systematic practice of extrajudicial killings" by the Davao Death Squad. Duterte has alternately confirmed and denied his involvement. The Office of the Ombudsman closed an investigation in January 2016 stating that they found no evidence that the Davao Death Squad exists, and no evidence to connect the police or Duterte with the killings. The case has since been reopened. Duterte has repeatedly confirmed that he personally killed criminal suspects as mayor of Davao.On May 9, 2016, Duterte won the Philippine presidential election with 39% of the votes, defeating four other candidates, namely Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party , Senator Grace Poe , former vice president Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance , and the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People's Reform Party . During his campaign, he promised to kill tens of thousands of criminals and end crime within six months. His domestic policy has focused on combating the illegal drug trade by initiating the Philippine Drug War. According to the Philippine National Police the death total passed 7,000 in January 2017, after which the police stopped publishing data. Following criticism from United Nations human rights experts that extrajudicial killings had increased since his election, Duterte threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the UN and form a new organization with China and African nations. He has declared his intention to pursue an "independent foreign policy", and sought to distance the Philippines from the United States and European Union and pursue closer ties with China and Russia. Wikipedia  

✵ 28. March 1945
Rodrigo Duterte photo
Rodrigo Duterte: 27 quotes8 likes

Famous Rodrigo Duterte Quotes

“I don't care If I go to hell as long as the people I serve will live in paradise.”

Rodrigo Duterte

"Duterte: Look ma, cheap shoes no socks" http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/710288/duterte-simple-lifestyle-has-served-me-well-in-govt' (August 5 2015)

“"What I don't like are kids (being raped.) You can mess with, maybe Miss Universe. Maybe I will even congratulate you for having the balls to rape somebody when you know you are going to die," for your crime”

Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines' Duterte makes fresh rape joke https://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-duterte-makes-fresh-rape-joke-143846355.html

“My quarrel with the Catholic church is personal. You drug addicts, don’t harm bishops and cardinals because they are not involved in the political ruckus.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) ‘Yang aming away ko sa Katoliko amin lang yan personal. Kayong mga adik, ‘wag ninyong totohanin ‘yong pukpokin yung bishop at kardinal, hindi sila kasali sa political ruckus.<br><br> About-face: Duterte now says ‘Don’t kill bishops, priests’ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1089736/about-face-duterte-now-says-dont-kill-bishops-priests(February 25, 2019)

“That's why I said, ‘Hey, you bystanders, when your bishop passes by, stick him up, that son of a bitch is rich. Kill him.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Kaya pagdating ko sabi ko, ‘Hoy, kayong mga tambay diyan, &#x27;pag dumaan &#x27;yang obispo ninyo holdapan &#x27;yan maraming pera &#x27;yan putang ina niya. Patayin mo.’ <br><br> Duterte to tambays: Steal from, kill &#x27;rich&#x27; bishops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Z8kVCJ-Z8&amp;t=58 (January 10, 2019)

“On the : "Kaibiganin natin para walang gulo," (Let's befriend them so there won't be any conflict.)”

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte wants to befriend Maute group http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/29/16/duterte-wants-to-befriend-maute-group (November 29, 2016)

“I would rather lose the election than lose my identity.”

Rodrigo Duterte

In an interview with Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/04/rodrigo-duterte-dirty-harry-philippine-politics-160410072246097.html (April 2016)

Rodrigo Duterte Quotes about personality

“Jail? Jeez. When I was a teenager, I was in and out of jail. One fight there, another here – at the age of 16, I killed someone. A person. During a fight. Stabbing. I was 16. Just because we looked at each other.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) Kulong? Ay &#x27;sus. Kulong, eh noong teenager ako pasok-labas-pasok ako sa kulungan. Rambol dito, rambol – at the age of 16, may pinatay na ako. Tao talaga. Rambol. Saksak. Noong 16 years old iyon, nagkatinginan lang.<br><br> Duterte claims he stabbed someone to death as a 16-year-old https://www.rappler.com/nation/187906-rodrigo-duterte-stab-16-years-old(November 9, 2017)

“But the truth is, I'm used to shooting people. When we were about to graduate from San Beda, I shot a person.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) Pero sa totoo lang, sanay ako magbaril ng tao. Mag-graduate na lang kami sa San Beda, may binaril akong tao.<br><br> Duterte: I shot a bully San Beda law student https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/130284-duterte-shot-bully-san-beda-student(April 21, 2016)

“Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch. Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong...The constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte endorses killing corrupt journalists https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/788543/duterte-endorses-killing-corrupt-journalists(June 1, 2016)<br><br> Duterte says killing of corrupt Philippines journalists justified https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/31/asia/philippines-duterte-journalists/index.html(June 1, 2016)

Rodrigo Duterte Quotes

“I'm not claiming to be clean. I also stole a lot, but it's all used up. So, it's gone.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Livestream: 140th founding anniversary of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (PCCAI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHdEnLY1GtQ&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=3993 (Jun 28, 2017)

“Because they (the Maute group) threatened to go down from the mountains to burn down Marawi? Go ahead, be my guest. We will wait for you there. Walang problema”

Rodrigo Duterte

No problem<br><br> Wallace Business Forum Dinner with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIJpTjsXDCs (December 12, 2016)

“As you know, I’m fighting with ambassador (John Kerry). His gay ambassador (Philip Goldberg), the son of a whore. He pissed me off.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines&#x27; Rodrigo Duterte insults US envoy with homophobic slur https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/10/philippines-leader-calls-us-ambassador-gay-son-of-a-whore-prompting-summons, The Guardian (10 August 2016)

“Anybody can criticize me, except for foreigners.”

Rodrigo Duterte

The Manila Times, Duterte: ‘Anybody can criticize me, except foreigners’ https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/05/03/news/latest-stories/duterte-anybody-can-criticize-me-except-foreigners/396588/ (May 2018) <br class="br">On criticism

“Do not hesistate to attack me, criticize me, if I do wrong in my job. It is your duty.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Philstar, Duterte to media: You can criticize me as long as it’s true https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/11/1622603/duterte-media-you-can-criticize-me-long-its-true (September 2016) <br class="br">On criticism

“New York Times… Asshole, asshole. You cannot even criticize your own mistake. Invading a country, making up excuses before the world that is not true, then you have the gall to say stop. You better stop your publishing.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte to New York Times: ‘You better stop your publishing’ https://globalnation.inquirer.net/155506/duterte-new-york-times-better-stop-publishing <br class="br">Targeted remarks to personalities and institutions

“Mr. Obama, you can go to hell.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine President to Obama: &#x27;Go to Hell&#x27; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXN2dU28LCE&amp;t=9 <br class="br">Targeted remarks to personalities and institutions

“Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte endorses killing corrupt journalists https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/788543/duterte-endorses-killing-corrupt-journalists

“That's why I told Callamard, if you investigate me, I'll slap you.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Targeted remarks to personalities and institutions <br class="br">Original: (tl) On UN Special Rapporteur Agnès Callamard: Kaya sabi ko, Callamard, kung imbestigahan mo ako, sampalin kita.<br><br> Interaksyon WATCH | Duterte again hits Callamard: ‘Kung imbestigahan mo ako, sampalin kita!’ https://www.interaksyon.com/breaking-news/2017/11/10/108089/watch-duterte-again-hits-callamard-kung-imbestigahan-mo-ako-sampalin-kita/

“Your concern is human rights; mine is human lives.”

Rodrigo Duterte

SONA 2018 Highlights: Pres. Duterte: “Your concern is human rights. Mine is human lives.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIko4p2F_Zw(July 23, 2018)

“I hate corruption. (I'm not claiming to be clean. I also stole a lot, but it's all used up. So, it's gone.) ...corruption is really out during my term.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Hindi ako nagmamakalinis. Marami rin akong nanakaw pero naubos na. So, wala na. <br><br> Livestream: 140th founding anniversary of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (PCCAI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHdEnLY1GtQ&amp;t=3993 (Jun 28, 2017)

“If I become president, I advise you people to put up several funeral parlor businesses because I am against illegal drugs... I might kill someone because of it.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte: If I win, better put up more funeral parlors https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/26/1526317/duterte-if-i-win-better-put-more-funeral-parlors(November 26, 2015)

“If I make it, God willing, to the presidency, I will be the first Left president in this country.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Excerpt from the Speech of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Lyceum of the Philippines University 64th Commencement Exercises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ_J36h-47Y&amp;t=76(April 24 2016)

“We won't kill you. We will just shoot your [female rebels] vagina so that if there are no vaginas, it would be useless.”

Rodrigo Duterte

&#x27;We will shoot your vagina&#x27;: Philippines president on communist rebels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRzx4DTO4v4(February 13, 2018)

“Here's what I thought: they raped her, they lined up. I was angry because of the rape, yes, but she was so beautiful, and the mayor should have been first. What a waste.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) Ang pumasok sa isip ko, ni-rape nila, pinagpilahan nila. Nagalit ako kasi ni-rape, oo, isa rin iyun. Pero napakaganda, dapat ang mayor muna ang mauna. Sayang.<br><br> Duterte on Australian rape victim: Napakaganda. Dapat ang mayor ang mauna. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr-XRWT40Do&amp;t=38 (April 16, 2016)

“Why will you go to Mexico now? Could you enjoy going to Mexico with kidnappings and killings there?”

Rodrigo Duterte

Bakit ikaw ba pupunta ng Mexico ngayon?<br><br><br> Duterte&#x27;s &#x27;oops&#x27; moment with the Mexican ambassador https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/128758-duterte-crime-mexican-ambassador(April 8, 2016)

“If you don't modernize, leave. You're poor? Son of a whore! Suffer through hardship and hunger. I don't care.”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) To jeepney transport groups: &quot;Pag hindi niyo na-modernize yan, umalis kayo. Mahirap kayo? Putang ina, sige! Mag... magtiis kayo sa hirap at gutom. Wala akong pakialam.&quot;<br><br> President Duterte attends federalism summit in Camarines Sur https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/videos/10155630659415168/(October 17, 2017)

“They say I'm a dictator, so be it!”

Rodrigo Duterte

Original: (tl) Sabi nila diktador ako...so be it! <br class="br">Source: In an interview with GMA News&#x27; State of the Nation with Jessica Soho http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/493566/news/nation/duterte-sabi-nila-diktador-ako-so-be-it (26 May 2015)

Similar authors

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk photo
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk9
First Czechoslovak president None
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva photo
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva10
Brazilian politician, 35th president of Brazil None
Václav Klaus photo
Václav Klaus3
2nd President of the Czech Republic None
Jair Bolsonaro photo
Jair Bolsonaro118
Brazilian president elect None
Dilma Rousseff photo
Dilma Rousseff13
36th President of Brazil None
Ronald Reagan photo
Ronald Reagan264
American politician, 40th president of the United States (i… None
Franklin D. Roosevelt photo
Franklin D. Roosevelt190
32nd President of the United States None
Salvador Allende photo
Salvador Allende16
Chilean physician and politician None
Bertil Ohlin photo
Bertil Ohlin11
Swedish economist and politician None
John F. Kennedy photo
John F. Kennedy469
35th president of the United States of America None