Duterte vows to resign if there’s proof of corruption in use of COVID-19 funds

President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the nation in a taped talk on Aug. 30. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday vowed to resign anew, this time if there is proof of corruption in the use of COVID-19 response funds as his administration faces scrutiny over the supposed mishandling of funds during the pandemic.

Duterte said this as he brought up anew the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report on deficiencies in the Department of Health’s (DOH) use of funds.

“Sabi ng COA, wala namang corruption at walang nawala and yet they try to float so many side issues. Pangsisira lang. At ako sasabihin ko sa inyo, kung totoo man yan, I will resign,” Duterte said during his speech at the PDP-Laban Cusi faction’s national convention in Pampanga.

(The COA said there’s no corruption and no money was lost. Yet they try to float so many side issues. It’s just defamation. And let me tell you if it’s true, I will resign.)

“Kung si [DOH Secretary Francisco] Duque kinurap nya or anybody in the Executive Department, particularly of course maski malayo ako sa mga transactions dyan, being the President of the Executive Department and of the country, talagang mananagot ako,” he added.

(If Duque committed corruption or anybody in the Executive department, though I am far from the transactions there, I will be held accountable being the President of the Executive Department and of the country.)

Earlier, Duterte already seemingly cleared the DOH of irregularity after saying it is “impossible” for the agency to steal P67.3 billion that was flagged by the COA.

The President also repeatedly said that he will stand by Duque even if it brings him down as the latter faces backlash over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

/MUF