Duterte thumbs down plan to allow motorcycle backriders in Cebu: ‘The law is hard but it is the law’

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte opposed the plan of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to allow back-riding on motorcycles in her home province.

In a speech aired over state-run PTV-4 Friday, Duterte said he may face graft charges if he allows Garcia to proceed with her plan.

“Alam mo, as much as I would like to accommodate Governor Garcia and the board members, here’s what I can say: If I begin to give an exemption to one… because I will open myself to charges of anti-graft law, giving another an undue advantage,” according to him.

“‘Pag binigyan ko kayo ng exemption and the others will follow. Hindi nga siguro magdemanda but others, not from the government, to just the test the capacity of the president of breaking the law. Kung i-demanda ako, I think may tama ako diyan.

“The law is hard but it is the law. Wala talaga akong magawa. Itong akin is not my discretion. Just because I’m the President doesn’t mean I can ignore the laws of the land,” the President said.

Last Wednesday, Garcia signed Executive Order No. 19, allowing backriders in Cebu.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)