'Ang buhay, weather-weather lang'

MANILA - Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lashed at those who belittled him for his academic record, saying those who performed better than him in school will now be working under him.

In a press conference in Davao City, Duterte said he has never claimed to be a good student.

"I am cynic your officials, because in the first place, I never pretended to be one. Nag-graduate...I would never pretend to have credentials, summa cum laude. I was never even... 75 lang [ang grade]. Now if you give me 75 for my performance, fine. Hanggang diyan lang ako, anong magagawa ko?" he said.

"Itong mga elitista, minsan sumosobra. Akala mo naman, sino ang mga ul*l. Eh kayo unang nag-insulto eh. Let us see what happens next," Duterte said.

To prove his point that grades and academic performance should not be a big issue, Duterte said two of those he offered positions in his Cabinet were class valedictorians, but will soon be working for him.

"Ngayon kinukuha ko si Carlos Dominguez, kababata ko 'yan. Dito kami lumaki, itong subdivision na ito, dito. He was my childhood friend, he was our valedictorian. Kindergarten valedictorian up to, kung ano 'yan siya. Ako, 75 lang hanggang pag-graduate ng College of Law. Pero trabahante ko sila ngayon."

"Art Tugade, he was valedictorian sa College of Law sa San Beda. Ako, 75 lang. Pero sabi ko, halika, magtrabaho ka sa akin. Magtrabaho ka. Ganun ang buhay, kaya kayo diyan sa ano, dahan-dahan lang. Ang buhay, weather-weather lang. Tama talaga si ano," Duterte said.

Dominguez, a former Cabinet member and head of Duterte's campaign finance committee, is a member of the Duterte Transition Team.

Tugade, on the other hand, is being eyed as the next secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

READ: Duterte names some Cabinet members

