President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Convention at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on August 17, 2018, reiterates that his administration remains committed to preserve and defend the most cherished democratic values in the country. RENE LUMAWAG/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO The conduct of the mid-term elections next year will be clean and credible, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

Duterte made the commitment at the convention of the regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP), in Lanang, Davao City.

Mr. Duterte said he would ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to deputize him, adding that during the election, he will impose the Alunan doctrine which limits the number of armed guards for every politician.

“In the next few months, I will impose the Alunan doctrine. You cannot bring long firearms during the election,” he said.

Duterte also warned communist rebels not to terrorize political candidates or extort money from them.

“Don’t meddle and impose taxes since we will keep going farther from the solution of our problems. Don’t be involved because this is the elections. Do not terrorize. And I will tell the Armed Forces and the police not to interfere if you are not deputized by the Comelec,” he said.