President Duterte's son Paolo resigns as Davao city vice mayor

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — In the wake of deadly flashfloods and a mall fire that killed 37 people, President Duterte’s son Paolo announced yesterday his resignation as vice mayor effective immediately, citing a confluence of “unfortunate events” in his life, including a failed marriage and a public spat with his daughter.

President Duterte was in town for the holidays when Paolo tendered his resignation.

Sought for comment, Malacañang said the President and his son were expected to meet last night.

“Let us give them the opportunity to talk. After that, I’m sure the President will give me the mandate to relay his message,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque told radio station dzMM. He said he had not seen the resignation letter of the vice mayor.

“I think all resignations should be accepted, but in this particular case, the Palace is just asking for an opportunity for the President and his son to meet,” Roque said.

Paolo’s resignation caught the city council and other officials by surprise. The Davao City council held yesterday a special session to pass a resolution declaring Davao City in a state of calamity after flashfloods on Friday night and a fire at the NCCC Mall from Saturday to Sunday left dozens of people dead.

“There are recent unfortunate events in my life that are closely tied to my failed first marriage. These, among others, including the maligning of my reputation in the recent name-dropping incident in the Bureau of Customs smuggling case and the very public squabble with my daughter,” Paolo said in the same statement.

“I look forward to the day that I will be able to serve our country again,” he added, as he thanked his constituents for their support.

He mentioned his failed marriage as well as his recent argument with his eldest daughter Isabelle on social media.

Isabelle earlier figured in a controversy after she had her pre-debut pictorial at Malacañang Palace, with the presidential seal conspicuously as background.

“The other person in this failed relationship is incorrigible and cannot be controlled. And I take responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a wrong decision to marry at a young age,” he also said, apparently referring to Lovelie Sankola-Sumera, the mother of Isabelle. He married Lovelie, a Tausug, when he was 18 while she was 24.

Paolo said his parents, President Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman, have instilled in him the value of delicadeza which prompted him to tender his resignation as vice mayor.

“It is difficult for many Dabawenyos, including myself, but we are strong and resilient and we shall move forward,” Paolo said.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all the families who lost a loved one, those who lost their jobs and who were affected by the floods because of Tropical Storm Vinta,” he said in his statement.

Third District Councilor Bernard Al-Ag has been designated as OIC vice mayor until the end of this month.

Members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod expressed hope Paolo would reconsider his resignation.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who had pressed for Duterte’s appearance at a Senate inquiry into illegal drugs smuggling through BOC, mocked the vice mayor’s resignation.

“Delicadeza, seriously? Pinatulan nga nya ung anak nya publicly sa Facebook, tapos delicadeza (He quarreled publicly with his daughter on Facebook, and it’s delicadeza)?” Trillanes said in a statement.

He said Paolo had already been “cleared months ago by (Sen. Richard) Gordon’s committee de abswelto.”

The senator said Paolo was probably just preempting the numerous investigations being readied against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

For a militant lawmaker, Paolo’s resignation should not exculpate him from his supposed links to drug smuggling.

“Removing himself from public office will not make questions on his alleged links to the Davao group and the smuggled P6.4-billion shabu shipment go away,” Rep. Antonio Tinio of party-list Alliance of Concerned Teachers said.

But pro-administration senators lauded Paolo for his decision to resign, saying it would keep his father and his administration from further controversies.

“It (resignation) also proves he is not the ‘kapit-tuko (one who clings to his post)’ type. He deserves our respect,” Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said Paolo made the “supreme sacrifice” in resigning.

“He most likely wanted to spare the President of further controversies from both personal and political issues,” Ejercito said. “It takes guts and courage to make that ultimate sacrifice.”

An administration House member also praised Paolo for his decision to quit as vice mayor.

“I respect the decision of Vice Mayor Duterte. It is his prerogative if he believes his resignation is in the best interest of his family. Let the legal succession take its course so the functioning of Davao City will not be stalled,” Rep. Gus Tambunting said.

The Parañaque congressman heads the House committee on games and amusement. – Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla, Alexis Romero