Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte says he's too old and tired to become a dictator and wants to cede power early

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A handout photo shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte viewing the coffin of Overseas Filipino Worker Joanna Demafelis during a wake in the town of Sara, Iloilo province on February 22 2018. Duterte has said he is old and tired and wants to finish his presidential term early. Photo: EPA-EFE/Philippine Presidential Photographs Division (PPD)

Published: 12:56am, 2 Mar 2018Updated: 1:36am, 2 Mar 2018

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is too old and tired to become a dictator - despite the fears of his opponents - and that he wants to achieve his goal of achieving federalism in the country so that he can finish his term early.

There had been concerns that Duterte’s move to introduce US-style federalism was an attempt to cling to power once his six-year term ended in 2022. But the 72-year-old said on Wednesday that he no longer has the energy.

“I will step down by 2020, I will not wait for 2022,” he said in a speech. “I am old. I have no more ambition. I really would like to rest.”

Protesters, wearing masks of President Rodrigo Duterte's military generals in his cabinet, march towards the Presidential Palace to call for an

TOPSHOT - Students burn an effigy of Duterte during a protest on February 23. Photo: AFP

The former city mayor has long advocated federalism to tackle a yawning wealth gap, empower regional governments and recognise the country’s diverse population.

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