Duterte: I never accepted gifts while in office

President Rodrigo Duterte /Screenshot from RTVM youtube live

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asserted that he never accepted gifts from when he was still Davao City mayor and now that he is Chief Executive.

Duterte even said he only owns a watch worth P300,000 as he recalled an incident where he was offered a watch of the luxury brand Patek.

“Sa Davao noong mayor ako, ni-minsan hindi ako tumatanggap maski Christmas gift. Dito sa Maynila, Presidente ako ngayon, marami nagpapadala ng baril, kung ano dyan. Sabi ko, isauli mo yan,” Duterte said in his final State of the Nation Address.

“Yung mga relo, itong aking relo, it’s IWC. This is only P300,000. But the Patek that has come my way, sinauli ko talaga. Return it. Pag hindi, itapon mo sa Pasig sa harapan nila,” he added.

Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the act establishing a code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, public officials shall lead modest lives and should not indulge in extravagant displays of wealth.

The law also prohibits officials from receiving gifts and engaging in transactions that have a conflict of interest.