Rodrigo Duterte Quotes

Powerful Rodrigo Duterte for Daily Growth

About Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Roa Duterte, born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Leyte, Philippines, is a prominent Filipino politician who served as the 16th President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Known for his blunt and controversial style, Duterte's political career spans over four decades, during which he has held various roles including Mayor of Davao City for more than two decades. Born into a political family, Duterte was influenced by his father, former Governor of Davao, Vicente Duterte. He studied Political Science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University but did not finish his degree. Instead, he pursued a law degree at San Beda College and passed the bar exam in 1978. Duterte's political journey began in 1972 when he was appointed as City Prosecutor of Davao. In 1986, he was elected Vice-Mayor of Davao, and in 1988, he became the Mayor, a position he held for 22 years. During his tenure as Mayor, Duterte gained notoriety for his tough approach to crime, earning him the nickname "The Punisher." In 2016, Duterte ran for President under the banner of the PDP-Laban party and won by a landslide. His presidency was marked by his war on drugs, which has been both praised for reducing drug-related crime and criticized for alleged human rights violations. As an author, Duterte published two books: "Duterte Speaks," a collection of speeches and interviews, and "Talking to My Country," a memoir detailing his life and political journey. Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Duterte remains a polarizing figure in Philippine politics.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd be happy to serve you in hell."

This quote from Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, is a metaphorical expression of his unyielding resolve and determination towards a cause, even if it leads him to an adversarial or challenging situation. He uses the phrase "serve you in hell" as a figurative statement to express that he will persist in his duties, tasks, or objectives, regardless of any hardships or obstacles that may arise. It reflects a strong-willed and uncompromising personality, ready to face adversity for the sake of his beliefs.


"Son of a whore, I will kill you."

This quote, attributed to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, represents an extreme expression of anger, disrespect, and the intent to harm or eliminate someone perceived as an enemy or threat. It is important to note that such language, when used in a political context, can fuel tension and violence, and is not conducive to peaceful dialogue or resolution of conflicts.


"We will not stop until the last drug lord is killed or jailed."

This quote by Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, indicates his firm commitment to addressing the issue of illegal drugs within the country through extreme measures, including either executing or incarcerating all major drug lords. It underscores an unrelenting approach to the war on drugs, where the ultimate goal is the complete eradication of the drug problem, even if it means using violent methods.


"If you destroy my family economy, I will kill you."

This quote from Rodrigo Duterte suggests a strong correlation between personal well-being (family economy) and his actions or responses towards others. It implies that if someone threatens his family's financial stability or livelihood, he may resort to violent measures to protect them. The statement underscores the profound impact of economic security on one's feelings of safety and security, and the lengths some individuals might go to preserve it.


"You drug addicts better pray that your number has not come up because if it does, I will kill you. I am duty-bound to do that."

This statement by Rodrigo Duterte indicates an extreme stance on drug addiction and crime in the Philippines during his presidency. He is suggesting that anyone who is a drug addict should pray not to be targeted because if they are, he will execute them. The phrase "I will kill you" refers to capital punishment or extrajudicial killing, a controversial practice that has been widely criticized for its lack of due process and rule of law. Overall, the quote demonstrates an aggressive approach towards dealing with drug addiction and crime, which has been a central issue during his presidency.


I wear cheap shoes. I don't even wear socks.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Cheap, Wear, Even, Socks

For every profanity, there's a story behind it. People should go beyond my cussing.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Behind, Go, Should, Profanity

No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Strong, Leader, However, Significance

I don't care if you will get angry with me, but I am not open to a compromise. Contractualization must go. It is anti-people.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Angry, Will, Go, Compromise

Destiny is not designed by mere mortals like us. It is crafted by God.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Destiny, Like, Crafted, Mortals

Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished - these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Love, Country, Commence, Impoverished

I would rather die early than enter Malacanang.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Die, Rather, Would, Early

I will retire with the reputation of Idi Amin.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Reputation, Will, Retire

My worry is how to protect the Filipino.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Worry, Protect, How, Filipino

I really do not know. I really do not know how to solve the problem of the Philippines. I cannot be the savior of this republic.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Problem, How, Republic, Savior

I am a man of many flaws and contradictions.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Man, I Am, Contradictions, Flaws

From day one, I told people there are consequences for not abiding by the law.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Law, Consequences, Day One, Abide

I have this deep and abiding faith in God. But this does not mean that you have to have a religion or follow somebody.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Deep, Mean, Does, Abide

I slap people in public, especially erring policemen. I can even challenge them to a duel. I am a gunfighter.

- Rodrigo Duterte

People, Them, Am, Policemen

To all my political opponents, all and sundry, not only the presidential bets, I would like to offer my hand to friendship.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Like, Political Opponents, Presidential

I have to build a new environment for the people. I will place them in ecozones and provide them assistance. I will build hospitals there. There will be economic activity.

- Rodrigo Duterte

New, Activity, Hospitals, Economic

God does not discriminate against people, regardless of color, religion, social class, or gender and sexual preferences.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Social Class, Preferences, Discriminate

I have to address the economic conditions of everybody, including, and perhaps first, those who are poor.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Everybody, Perhaps, Address, Economic

I don't want anyone controlling me.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Me, Want, Anyone, Controlling

Relax. I am not the man I am portrayed to be by some.

- Rodrigo Duterte

I Am, Relax, Some, Portrayed

As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Legal, Know, Authority, Limits

If you're a public official, your life is an open book.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Book, Public, Official, Open Book

Many are asking what my credentials are and what I can do for the Philippines. They are telling me that they heard I am a womanizer. That is true. That is very true.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Asking, Very, Telling, Philippines

The state must protect the media. In a democracy, the role of media is very important. In the absence of a credible opposition party, you can rely on the media.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Absence, Role, Very, Party

For the record, I believe in God, but I do not believe in religion, period.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Believe, Record, Period, I Believe

Human rights must work to uplift human dignity.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Work, Human Dignity, Uplift, Human Rights

I am a lawyer and 22 years the mayor of Davao City. I served as congressman of the first district for one term, and I was vice mayor to my daughter, Inday.

- Rodrigo Duterte

City, Mayor, Vice, Lawyer

Fate has many faces.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Fate, Many, Faces

I only want three children for every family. I'm a Christian, but I'm a realist, so we have to do something with our overpopulation. I will defy the opinion or the belief of the Church.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Realist, Overpopulation, Defy

Erosion of faith and trust in government - that is the real problem that confronts us.

- Rodrigo Duterte

Trust, Government, Problem, Erosion

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