MARCOS (PPA)
DAVAO CITY – Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday to take more decisive action against corruption.
Duterte said if the President is serious about corruption, he must immediately file cases against corrupt legislators.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s son criticized the replacement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez with Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III, questioning the role of House Majority Leader Rep. Sandro Marcos in the move.
“Who made the choice? No one else but Sandro Marcos, a partymate in Partido Federal and the President's son. What is this? Another coverup move? Just a change of face but the same rotten system,” Duterte said in a statement.
"Corruption will not end with tears and sweet talk," Duterte said as he encouraged the Department of Public Works and Highways to release a comprehensive list of projects in all districts.
“Enough with the deception, enough with the show. If you want people’s respect, face corruption head-on, no sacred cows, no cover-ups. If you cannot clean up your own ranks, we might as well all go home,” the lawmaker added.
After the House of Representatives abruptly suspended its session Tuesday, Romualdez and Ilocos Norte Rep. Marcos reportedly proceeded to a meeting with the President.
Reports claimed that Romualdez might soon be replaced following allegations in a committee hearing tying him to questionable flood control projects and alleged budget insertions.
On Wednesday, Antipolo City first district Rep. Ronaldo Puno announced that Romualdez is stepping down from his post and has recommended Dy to replace him.
Duterte taunted the Makabayan bloc, accusing them of staging protests for personal gain. “These so-called protests supposedly for the masses are actually for their own pockets,” Duterte said.
He ridiculed the bloc’s attempt to oppose the Office of the Vice President’s budget during the committee hearing Tuesday.
Two opposition lawmakers lined up to question Vice President Duterte on the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President – ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co of the Makabayan bloc.
Vice President Duterte refused to answer questions from the Makabayan bloc regarding the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
“They tried hard, but after just one hour, it was terminated. They achieved nothing except embarrassing themselves,” Rep. Duterte said.
Rep. Duterte said that the real protest is the one that carries the authentic voice of the people and not those twisted ones who keep shouting just to get funds.