Duterte to Paolo: "Do what is right"
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday he told his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, to "do what is right," after the latter offered to quit his post.
The young Duterte resigned as vice mayor on Christmas Day, citing "delicadeza" due to "recent unfortunate events." The president said his eldest son informed him about the resignation on the same day, ABS-CBS News reported yesterday.
"Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Ikaw. You are in a position to do what is right. Kung ano lang ang tama sa iyo, gawin mo," Duterte told reporters in Davao City.
“I never suggested any resignation. Sabi ko, ‘Ikaw, you …’ Siguro ‘yung sa anak niya, ‘yung pictorial at ‘yung---Baka nasaktan din siya noong ‘yung mga insinuation … ‘Let the people decide. But if you think that there is a better [way] to do it, do what is right.” ‘Yun lang,’” the president added.
The vice mayor feuded on social media with his daughter from his first marriage, Isabelle. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a critic of his father, earlier implicated him in illegal drug smuggling. He cited both incidents in his resignation statement.
Before their spat, Isabelle Duterte held a photo shoot at the presidential palace ahead of her 18th birthday party.
"When I was growing up my parents never failed to remind us of the value of the time honored principle of delicadeza and this is one of those instances in my life that I need to protect my honor and that of my children," the vice mayor said.
The resignation of a vice mayor will be effective only upon acceptance of the president. However, it will be deemed accepted if not acted upon within 15 working days, according to the Local Government Code of 1991.
Davao Mayor Sara Duterte said his brother was considered "on leave" until their father accepts his resignation.