President Duterte got nervous when he thought he saw his son's name on the list of lawmakers linked to alleged corruption in infrastructure projects.
The President was identifying the lawmakers in the list prepared by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) during a public address Monday night when he noticed the name "Paolo" on the document.
The country's leader felt on the edge especially after he offered to resign if he and any of his family are proven involved in corruption.
The President’s eldest son Paolo Duterte currently serves as congressman of Davao City's first district. He was recently elected as chairman of the House committee on accounts. The Davao lawmaker was not on the list revealed by the President.
"Sus kinabahan ako p*** kay may nakita ako Paolo. P***** i**. Maka-resign tayo ng... Really, it's a matter of honor. Pagka sinabi mong ganoon-ganoon. It is never too late to just be honest (Oh my, I got nervous. Son of a.. I saw the name Paolo. Son of a b*tch. I might resign if ever. Really, it's a matter of honor when you say things like that. It is never too late to just be honest)," Duterte during his remarks aired on state television.
The President heaved a sigh of relief when the next lawmaker on the list was not his son but a namesake in the Lower House. Duterte mentioned the name of Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfredo Paolo Vargas.
Vargas is among nine active and former lawmakers identified by the President in the PACC list. Duterte made clear there was still no "hard evidence" to prove the allegations against the lawmakers, asking the public not to take the list as "gospel truth."
Before baring the names of the politicians on the list, Duterte offered to step down if anyone can prove he and his family are involved in corrupt practices. Duterte, a former Davao City mayor and congressman, previously denied getting entangled in corruption during his lengthy public service.
"I can assure you. Maski piso (Not a single peso). If there is any person magsabi lang siya naghingi ako ng piso o singko sentimos (will say I asked for a peso or five centavos) and he will stand up and accuse me and if it’s true, I will resign. I will step down as President," he said.
"In the same manner, ‘yung mga relatives ko and my son is there, ‘pag nabasa niya nandiyan ‘yung pangalan niya (if the name is there) I assure you I will," he added.
Last October, the President advised his eldest son to "account for every money up to the last centavo" shortly after his election as House panel on accounts chairman.
Back in August 2017, the President declared he was willing to step down if any of his children is proven involved in corruption. The President's statement was made after the name of his eldest son cropped up during a congressional inquiry into the huge drug shipment that slipped through customs bureau.