Panelo: Duterte not quitting, not sick

President Rodrigo Duterte will not quit his post even after he floated the possibility of cutting short his term due to continuing corruption in government, a Malacañang official said Friday.

"I think the statement was more of an expression of exasperation, a cry of sheer disgust over what's happening vis-a-vis the drive versus corruption," Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo told ANC television.

"He's so pissed off, but knowing him, he is not a quitter. When he sets himself on a goal he will just reach it. The Constitution commands him, directs him and orders him to serve and to protect the people and that would be the underlying basis of what he will do as President. He has been doing that," Panelo said.

He said Duterte talking about resignation was normal.

"Everybody does that even I and others whom I know usually express that kind of disgust or exasperation when things do not seem to come out as expected," Panelo said.

Asked if Duterte is resigning, Panelo said: "I don't think so."

"I would even look at it as a foreshadow of some radical changes to come, meaning to say that he has been very strict but I think he will be more strict this time around," the Palace official said.

Panelo also denied that the 73-year-old Duterte may have thought of quitting the presidency due to sickness.

"Definitely not. For as long as he curses, he's well," Panelo said. 

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is willing to step down if former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wins his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News