President’s son Paolo Duterte quits as Davao City vice mayor

Paolo Duterte
Paolo Duterte. Picture courtesy of city information office

The president’s son Paolo Duterte has resigned as vice mayor of Davao City during a Christmas Day council meeting.

He made the announcement during a special session of the city council on Christmas Day.

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He said: “When I was growing up my parents never failed to remind me of the value of the time honoured principle of delicadeza and this is one of those instances in my life that I need to protect my honour and that of my children.”

Struggling to maintain his composure, he added: “I take responsibility for what has happened.”

He then cited the 6.4-billion pesos of shabu from China smuggled through the Bureau of Customs, his failed marriage with his first wife, and his recent public spat with his daughter Isabelle as reasons for his resignation.

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“There are recent unfortunate events in my life that are closely tied to my failed first marriage. These, among others, include the maligning of my reputation in the recent name dropping incident in the Bureau of Customs smuggling case and the very public squabble with my daughter.

“The other person in this failed relationship is incorrigible and cannot be controlled. And I take responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a wrong decision to marry at a very young age,” he said.

He added that he was grateful for the support of the “Dabawenyos” throughout his term of office.

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“I am grateful to all the Dabawenyos for your support to my office and I look forward to the day that I will be able to serve our country again,” he said.

He also extended his “deepest sympathies to all the families who lost a loved one, those who lost their jobs and those who were affected by the floods because of typhoon Vinta”.

“It is a difficult Christmas day for many Dabawenyos including myself but we are strong and resilient and we shall move forward,” he said.

He then announced his resignation, with immediate effect. “I hereby tender my resignation as Vice Mayor of Davao City effective today December 25, 2017,” he said.

City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Paolo’s sister, said their father knew that Paolo had been wanting to resign.

Majority Floor Leader Bernard Al-ag will be acting vice mayor until the city council formally accepts Paolo’s resignation.