Duterte tells Cabinet members, lawmakers to ignore name droppers

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte warned members of his Cabinet and lawmakers against entertaining persons who will be dropping his name for any project or transaction, saying they should ignore and turn them away.

“For all government workers, lalo na yung Cabinet members and the senators and congressmen and the bureaucracy,  I said this when bago pa akong mayor, panahon sa lokohan, hindi naman talaga natatanggal yan,” Duterte said in a televised address aired Friday.

(For all government workers, especially the Cabinet members, senators, congressmen and the bureaucracy, I said this when I was a new mayor, we cannot deny that scams cannot be removed.)

“Wag kayo magpaloko lalo na yung maggamit ng pangalan ko kasi yung maggamit ng pangalan ko sigurado palpak ‘yan. Raket ‘yan. Krimen ‘yan. Kasi kung negosyo mo tama, walang problema, bakit gamitin mo pangalan ko?” he added.

(Don’t be fooled by those using my name because I’m sure that’s a scam, that’s a crime. If your business is legal, why would you use my name?)

Even if it is “meritorious,” Duterte advised that anyone using his name for their business transactions, should be turned away.

“Maski sinong magdala na Duterte siya, do not entertain. Sabihin mo, ‘Ma’am, Sir, pwede ho kayong lumabas. We are not allowed to entertain you and whatever you are asking from us, it has to be denied. Even if it is meritorious, even if it is correct in all forms, hindi ho kami dapat mag-entertain,’” he said.

(Whoever says that he is a Duterte, do not entertain. Tell them, “Ma’am, Sir, you may now leave. We are not allowed to entertain you and whatever you are asking from us, it has to be denied. Even if it is meritorious, even if it is correct in all forms, we should not entertain you.”)

During the same public address, Duterte also warned the public against online scams that are selling medical equipment like face masks.

/MUF