Duterte on honesty as an election issue: It depends

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday gave a neutral answer on whether honesty should be considered an election issue.

"It depends. It depends. If you're hanging by the thread, of what good use would it be, if it'll just create trouble," Duterte said in an ambush interview after his speech at the 122nd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army in Taguig.

"There are things left unsaid and there are things which you can answer correctly. Okay?" he added.

The remark of his daughter, Hugpong ng Pagbabago campaign manager and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, which seemed to downplay the importance of honesty during the election season recently drew public clamor.

Critics from various sectors, on the other hand, said that integrity is an important factor in public service and should be considered by voters in the upcoming midterm elections. — BAP, GMA News