(Eagle News) – “Hindi ako galit sa Presidente. (I am not angry with the President).”
This was the statement of dismissed Interior Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno during Thursday’s (April 6) send-off ceremony by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to him, insisting he has no ill feelings against President Rodrigo Duterte for firing him at the end of Monday’s cabinet meeting in Malacanang, nor against the three department undersecretaries who wrote the Palace complaining about his actions.
“Completely, I have no hurt feelings,” Sueno said as he talked to the DILG employees on a stage, together with his wife, and one of his daughters.
The former DILG chief also thanked the DILG body for their support for him during the time that he was the head of the department.
But he admitted that he really couldn’t sleep for two days after his dismissal, thinking that people might think he was corrupt after the incident.
Couldn’t sleep for 2 days
“Talagang nanliit ako. Hindi ako makatulog for two days,” he said.
He said he was just thankful that his 98-year-old mother has not heard of this, and that his two-year old only grandson would not be able to comprehend this.
If you ask me what I feel, I really suffered,” he said. “Not only me, but my family. They also suffered with me.”
“Nung primero talaga, galit ako sa kanila. I had hatred for them,” he said of the three undersecretaries who he claimed had misinformed the President.
“Pero sabi ko noon. Bakit ako magalit? Hindi ako makatulog. Iniisip mo how you will persecute them also. But that already disturbs your mind. Kaya napaiyak po ako, dahil inaalis ko ang sama ng loob kaya completely I have no hurt feelings (for) them okay,” he explained.
“Mahal ko rin sila. Mahal ko kayong lahat,” he said.
Thankful he can now rest
Sueno said he was still thankful that this happened as he would finally have the time to rest and spend time with his family.
“Ang thinking ko kasi, this is a big message of God to me – na alis ka na diyan,” he said.
“Makapahinga na kami ng misis ko. Very busy schedule ko,” Sueno recalled.
He said there were frequent trips that can take their toll on his health.
“Talagang very busy ang schedule,” he said.
But he maintained he is still very supportive of the President whom he said is the right man to solve the problems in Mindanao.
Still supports President Duterte
He said this was the reason why he had been insistent on pushing Duterte to run for president years ago.
“Ito ang nakikita ko kasi. Ang passion ko kasi being a true Mindanaoan, ang passion ko is to have somebody from Mindanao to become president of this country. Because he will solve the problems of Mindanao. Because to me only a Mindanaoan can solve the problems of Mindanao,” he said.
Kaya we really worked hard for him to become President,” he added.
He also described the President as a good communicator.
“He’s a very good communicator. Yung communication niya regarding drugs, sa war on drugs. Kaya yung war on drugs is known all over the world,” Sueno said.
Sueno bares meeting with archbishops to seek dialogue for Duterte
Sueno also disclosed that about 10 days ago, he met with seven or eight archbishops who were the staunchest critics of the President, including Archbishop Socrate Villegas.
“I wanted them to understand the President kung ano ang thinking ng Presidente, kung ano ang ginagawa niya,” he said, recalling his talk with the Catholic archbishops.
He said he was also hurt whenever the President hits the Catholic Church, since he is a former seminarian.
But he said “it was a wake-up call for the Church.”
“I tried to convince (the archbishops) Please accept him. Kasi ito (President Duterte) strong-willed talaga, very strong ang determination niya to eliminate corruption in government, at saka yung problems ng drugs and criminality,” he said.
“Tsaka wala pa akong nakitang Presidente na halos wala siyang self-interest, only the interest of the people,” he said referring to Duterte.
Sueno said he “wanted the bishops to have a dialogue with him.”
But he said it was National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Ernesto Pernia, a former seminarian himself, who told the Catholic archbishops that they should be the “first to understand” and to be “compassionate” when it comes to the President.
Sueno said he has already forgiven his critics and even those who wanted him out of the DILG.
“Pasalamat na rin ako. Ako I realize I am not fit for this kind of job. Hindi ko kaya ang puwesto ko. Kasi doon sa baba alam ko marami ang gusto ang puwesto ko. Gladly I would give everything to them,” he said.
