President Duterte has guaranteed Filipinos that their money is being spent correctly by the government, even telling the people that they can "kill him" if he was lying.
The President made the statement amid the Senate's investigation on the deficiencies in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related expenses of the Department of Health (DOH) as cited by the Commission on Audit (COA).
In his pre-recorded public address on Thursday, Aug. 26, Duterte assured the people that he would not betray them.
"Ako Presidente ninyo (I am your President), you trusted me, you voted for me so that I would be the last person --- ako ‘yung pinakahuling taong manloko sa inyo (I would be the last person to fool you)," he said.
"At puwede ninyo akong --- hindi na ako Presidente --- patayin ninyo ako kung ako’y nagkamali o nagsisinungaling (And if I'm no longer the president, you can kill me if I made a mistake or if I'm lying)," he added.
According to Duterte, his weekly public addresses are aimed at keeping the public posted about how their taxes were being spent. So far this week, the President had led two late night public briefings, both two hours long.
He added that the government will keep on reporting to the public where their money is going.
"We have to make some explanations and everybody here explains the project that he is into," he said, referring to the Cabinet members who are asked to make presentations on their achievements.
"Here you will learn government-- ang pinaka-importante (the most important thing is) you will know where your money went at saka malaman ninyo kung ano ang totoo sa isyu (and you will hear the truth about this issue)," he added.
This was the third time in seven days that President Duterte talked about government spending. His remarks came after COA cited in its reports deficiencies in some government agencies.