Duterte to Sara, Pulong: Stay clean in public office

MANILA, Philippines — Barely two weeks since he was appointed as chairman of the House committee on accounts, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte has received advice from his father the President – to be careful in the handling of appropriations matters at the House of Representatives.

President Duterte revealed that he reminded his son Paolo and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to be prudent in terms of dealing with people’s money.

He was more particular about Paolo, better known as Pulong, who was appointed to the committee chairmanship after Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco was installed as Speaker following a bitter fight with the former speaker, Alan Peter Cayetano.

Duterte said he has told Paolo not to abuse his power as head of the Committee of Accounts, which handles the financial affairs of the chamber, among others.

“Iyan ang sinasabi ko kay Inday, pati kay Pulong. Huwag kayong pumasok, sumobra, especially si Pulong, sa accounts siya ngayon, sa committee (That’s what I told Inday and Pulong. Don’t abuse… especially Pulong now that he is accounts committee chairman). Be sure to account for every money up to the last centavo para ang tao walang masabi (so that people won’t say anything against you),” he said.

When it comes to Sara, Duterte expressed his belief that she won’t tolerate abuse in the use of the people’s money. “Inday, wala ‘yan. Talagang hindi mo ma-ano ‘yan. Babarilin ka pa niyan (With Inday, that’s not an issue. You can’t do anything. She might even shoot you),” he said, referring to the mayor by her nickname.

Duterte revealed his sentiments during a recorded telecast of his weekly address to the nation. He was expressing his concerns over rampant corruption and abuse by some public officials, which prevail even if he has been hard against the problem.