Philippines Presidential frontrunner and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he is interviewed by reporters at a hotel in Davao City. AFP Photo
Philippines Presidential frontrunner and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he is interviewed by reporters at a hotel in Davao City. AFP Photo

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is leading the initial tally of votes, on Monday reached out to his rivals in the presidential race.

“I would like to reach out to my opponents. Let us begin the healing now,” Duterte said.

“Let us begin the healing of the land.... Let us be friends. Forget the travails of the elections,” he added.

Duterte admitted that the campaign period had been “quite virulent” with all the black propaganda and accusations thrown by the candidates against each other.

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The tough-talking mayor said his peaceful offer was for everybody, including Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, who accused him of having hidden wealth and filed a compliant for plunder against the mayor.

“If you don’t accept the goodwill, fine, then I will take it,” Duterte added.

He said he remains “hopeful” in winning the presidency but says he has to wait for the official result.

“I don’t want to be presumptuous... I ain’t there until I am there,” Duterte added, noting that since running for public office, he has never tasted defeat.

“This will be my 11th elections in my life, I never experienced defeat. Maybe this time, if it’s God’s will. But If I win, I’ll do my job,” he said.