Palace declines to comment on Paolo’s resignation

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque INQUIRER PHOTO/Joan Bondoc

Malacañang on Monday declined to comment for now on the resignation of presidential son Paolo Duterte as Davao City vice mayor.

However, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque asked the public to allow President Rodrigo Duterte and Paolo to talk first following the younger Duterte’s resignation.

“Hayaan muna natin sila magkaroon ng pagkakataong magkausap. Pagkatapos nila ng kanilang pag-uusap e sigurado bibigyan ako ng mandato ng Presidente na para magpahayag ng kanyang mensahe,” Roque said in an interview over dzMM.

During a special session on Monday in Davao City, Paolo announced his resignation, citing delicadeza.

“When I was growing up my parents never failed to remind me 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,” he said in his speech at the city council.

The vice mayor cited the P6.4-billion worth of shabu shipment from China that went past the Bureau of Customs, his failed marriage with his first wife, and his word war with his daughter Isabelle as reasons for his resignation.

Though the city council approved Paolo’s resignation, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said only the Office of the President could accept his resignation.

“While awaiting the acceptance of his resignation, he is on leave from the office of the vice mayor because only the Office of the President can accept the resignation of the vice mayor,” she said.