President Duterte has urged parents not to force their children to excel in school, saying he turned out fine despite his low grades.
The President told parents that he managed to reach the presidency even though he earned a barely passing grade of 75 in school.
“Bakit hindi ka pa mag-aral nang ma-presidente ka man ng 75? ‘Wag masyado. Take it from me,” he said during his visit to Malabon City last Tuesday. “‘Yung mga anak ninyo na…Basta huwag mo nang pilitin, ‘yung iba hinahampas eh. Sabi ko, oo nga ‘no, 75. Ah okay ka, Duterte style,” he added.
Duterte admitted that he did not study hard in school, saying he simply read books and tried to pass his tests. He said when his mother confronted him about his low grades, he told her that he was content with attaining at least 75 passing score.
“Anuhin ko man ‘yang sobra? 75 man lang kailangan ko para maka-akyat ako. Bakit papagurin mo pa ako ng 90? Eh ilang ar – susmaryosep, ilang oras ako niyan mag-aral? Ayaw ko mag-aral basta magbasa lang ako konti tapos,” he said.
Duterte took pride that he would have trumped his father, the late Davao Gov. Vicente Duterte, in terms in achievement. He recalled that his father belittled him and was not optimistic about his future due to his carefree attitude. “Wala siyang magandang tingin sa akin. Parang ini-ignore niya. Kaya sabi ko ngayon, I’m sorry but ah… Pero ngayon, kung makita mo ako, tumba ka. Eh governor ka lang diyan,” he added.
Despite his low grade, Duterte said he became president and now the boss of “bright” Cabinet members. (Genalyn Kabiling)
