You don’t owe politicians, Duterte tells voters

President Duterte reminded the public not to be fooled by politicians or candidates who flaunt infrastructure projects to get votes because those did not come from their own pockets.

Duterte made the statement as candidates for local posts are now trying to convince the electorate to vote for them in the upcoming May 2019 midterm polls.

During the PDP-Laban proclamation rally in Malabon City, Duterte explained that the public does not owe politicians anything because their salaries are from the money of taxpayers.

“Remember, they do not function na gastos nila. Wala akong nakita na politiko na gumastos ng sariling pera para ibigay sa tao. Inyo ‘yan. Galing sa bulsa ninyo ‘yan (out of their own pockets. I have not seen any politician who spend their own money for the people. All of those are yours),” he said Tuesday evening.

“Wala kayong utang na loob sa mga politiko. Lahat ‘yan pati suweldo nila, pera ninyo. Kaya huwag kayong magsabi na ito si mayor ano, mag...galante (You owe nothing to those politicians. Everything, including their salaries, are from your own pockets. So don’t say that your mayor is very generous),” he added.

Duterte said that even informal settlers or those who do not have a job are paying their taxes whenever they buy something.

“’Pag ika’y namili ng pagkain sa palengke at ikaw ‘yung magbili ng mga school supplies, ‘yang pera na ‘yan po may buwis ‘yan at ‘yan ay pupunta sa gobyerno (Whenever you buy food from the market or buy school supplies, you are paying taxes to government),” he said.

“Maski na sabihin mo hindi kami nagbabayad ng buwis kasi informal settlers lang kami, squatter, wala kaming ibinabayad. Well, ‘yan ang akala mo. Pero ‘pag sumakay ka, ang gasolina may patong na buwis ‘yan (Even if you are an informal settler you are paying taxes whenever you use public transportation),” he added.