Thread by @rapplerdotcom

In this Rappler Talk, reporter Ralf Rivas speaks to Ruy Elias Lopez on Davao City’s political history, his platform, as well as the hold of the Duterte family on the city.

Watch the interview on tonight, May 7, at 7 pm. #PHVote #WeDecide rappler.com/nation/electio…

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Lopez: When I filed my candidacy, some people were saying, 'thank you,' because for several elections, there's no one contesting the Duterte dynasty in Davao.

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Lopez on Baste Duterte: Until now I don't know what his qualifications are.

Lopez says people were not aware of how Baste is performing as Davao City vice mayor.

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Lopez: During the past 3 years, they don't know what he was doing. However I am faced with the political machinery of Dutertes because they've been in office for 35 years.

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Lopez: Everybody is an ally of the Dutertes. That's why I don't even have a slate of my own. I'm running on my own.
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Lopez: The Duterte camp feels confident. On my side, they also feel confident. Malaking opposites ang assessment. Because until today, tahimik ang mga tao.

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Lopez: When I first filed, tahimik 'yung mga tao. We're afraid of the Dutertes, because once you criticize them, they will gang up on you. That's their politics.

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Lopez says the Dutertes intimidate people: Even the businessmen, they tell me, they will only campaign for me quietly. They don't want to expose themselves. Because the Davao City gov't will put pressure on them, go after them.

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Are the people content with the Duterte leadership in Davao?

Lopez: During the campaign, doon na lumabas ang sentiment ng tao. This came from a transport group: Change leadership now. Enough of the Dutertes.

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Lopez on his plans for Davao City if he wins as mayor: The mindset is hindi kami hari. Kami ay magserbisyo sa tao. It starts with the mayor. I'll try to instill that to all gov't employees.

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Lopez on his plans for Davao City: Address the basic problems. This problem of potable water in the city. This is negligence on the part of the city administration. Basic service 'yan eh. And then health. Kailangan every brgy may doktor.

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What severed the ties between Lopez's family and the Dutertes?

Lopez: The crucial moment is clear. That was when Pres. Duterte took as candidate for vice mayor si Sara in 2007. I told him that's wrong. There's no check and balance.

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Lopez: As long as there's dynasty, I will oppose them.

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Lopez on Duterte's war on drugs: Here in Davao, when he became mayor, medyo talagang bumaba ang drug problem. However, it doesn't mean it's eradicated. It's still there.

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Lopez: Duterte moved on from extrajudicial killings in Davao to intimidating political opponents, those who are against him, like media. Here in Davao, those (media) who criticize Duterte are now six feet under the ground. So quiet everybody.
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Lopez says he plans to address the drug issue by focusing on the suppliers.

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Lopez: The peace and order here, part of it is because of fear. It's not really personal peace, it's just outward peace. Ang kinatatakutan nila, 'pag sila ang napag-initan ng Dutertes.

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Lopez says support for Marcos, Sara Duterte's standard-bearer, has been overwhelming in their city: But there are Leni groups here campaigning. It is just much lower here in Davao. It's a Duterte country. Mahirap i-push up 'yung campaign.

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Lopez says people have been trying to influence him to not campaign for Leni Robredo and have told him they might withdraw their support for him if he continues to back Robredo.

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Voter turnout in Davao is low. Do you think more people will come out this election?

Lopez: It will just be the same. Some people are apolitical. Those in classes ABC, they don't go out and pumila sa init. 'Yung mga tao minsan, tatamarin.

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Lopez: I may be totally wrong, but that's how I see it.

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