Duterte, treasurer clash on funding

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – An apparent rift between Mayor Sara Duterte and city treasurer Rodrigo Riola is reported to be hampering the release of the 13th month pay of more than 8,000 City Hall employees in time for the holidays. 

Duterte did not hide her anger toward Riola for allegedly refusing to sign Supplemental Budget No. 3 which could have been the fund source for the 13th month pay, the budget for the Pasko Fiesta celebration, the food allocation for indigenous people, and the additional fund for the city’s Lingap para sa Mahirap program. 

While Duterte insisted there is enough money for SB No. 3, Riola, on the other hand, claimed there are no funds to support it.