President Duterte lightened up the mood during his late-night public address on Monday, Feb. 21, as he poked fun at some of his Cabinet members who would not present their reports.
In his pre-recorded "Talk to the People" program aired late Monday night, Duterte introduced the Cabinet members who would present the accomplishment reports of their respective agencies.
These include Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
"Puro may mga accomplishment ito sila (They all have accomplishments)," Duterte said.
However, Duterte also made special mention of other Cabinet officials who were present in the briefing but will not make a report.
They were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, testing czar Vince Dizon, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Sen. Bong Go, and Food and Drug Administration Deputy Director-General Oscar Gutierrez.
"Wala sila itong report kasi hindi siguro nag-aral ng mabuti (They do not have a report maybe because they did not study well)," he said in jest.
Duterte said he is glad that his "Talk to the People" is now back, adding that the program is aimed at letting the people know where their taxes are going.
"It is a very important communication line between the government and you. At dapat ninyong malaman (and you should know), as I have said, government is run by the money of the people, taxes," the President said.
"We would like you to know and to ask even kung paano nagastos ang pera ng bayan at anong pinaggastusan. Iyon ang important, yung hindi kayo nagdududa na ninanakaw yung pera ninyo (how the people's money were spent. This is important so you do not have doubts that your money is being stolen)," he added.