Duterte twits Congress over ‘failure’ to produce P30 M bounty for solon’s killers
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday poked fun at Congress’ alleged failure to produce the P30 million bounty it promised for the arrest of the killers of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, likening the lawmakers to a boxer who always has a clenched fist.
Batocabe was shot dead days before Christmas while giving out gifts in Daraga, Albay.
Congressmen and local officials in the Bicol region have raised a bounty of up to P30 million for information leading to the arrest of the killers of Batocabe.
Duterte, for his part, offered P20 million, raising the bounty to P50 million.
READ: P30-M bounty offered for solon’s killers
“Nung Batocabe, sir napublish na magput up ang Congress ng P30 million (reward). Sabi ko sige kailangan natin P50 (million), I will give P20 (million) para maging P50 (million). Sa awa ng Diyos sir ako lang ang nagdeliver ng P20 (million) ko. Ang Congress medyo wala pa, iniimprenta pa raw ‘yung pera,” Duterte said in a speech in Quezon province.
(In the Batocabe case, it was reported that Congress will put up a P30 million bounty. I gave another P20 million to make it P50 million. Unfortunately, I delivered my P20 million, while Congress hasn’t, perhaps they’re still having the money printed).
He added that he immediately gave his P20 million pledge to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde the moment Batocabe’s killers were arrested.
“Mga Congressman kasi potential boxer. Congressman? Boxer. Di mo mapaganun [open fist] laging sarado,” Duterte said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
(Congressmen are like boxers. They cannot afford to have open fists, it’s always closed.)
The President claimed that he asked Albayalde if the lawmakers already delivered their promise, to which the police chief answered ‘not yet.’
He told Albayalde that he will look for an opportunity to remind the lawmakers of their promise as the Batocabe slay case was ‘solved in record time.’ /gsg
READ: Main gunman in Batocabe slay surrenders
