President Rodrigo Duterte troops the line at the Philippine Military Academy graduation in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. Artemio Dumlao
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte revealed on Sunday that he has been given a Mercedes-Benz but he rejected it to maintain his moral ascendancy in his drive against corruption.
Duterte did not say who gave him the vehicle, which he said is now at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) compound in Malacañang.
“Ito nga totoo eh, nagbigay sa akin Mercedes-Benz, totoo ‘yon. Punta ka sa PSG, nandiyan sa compound…Pero nagmamagandang-loob, sabi ko okay (This is true. Someone gave me a Mercedes-Benz),” Duterte said during the anniversary of PDP-Laban in Pasay City.
“Hindi ko tinatanggap, lagay ko lang diyan. Interesado ang sinong taxpayer, bilin mo sa gobyerno, ipagbili ko (I did not accept. I just placed it there. To the taxpayers who are interested, they can buy it from the government. I will sell it,” he added.
Duterte reiterated that he would never condone any form of corruption under his watch.
“If I do, I will have no moral authority to criticize,” the president said.
“Whether you have money or you have none, I do not accept gifts,” he added.
Duterte said he is happy with the 1988 pickup he has been using ever since he was mayor of Davao City.
“Hindi ako sumasakay ng kotse. Kayong taga-Davao alam ninyo ‘yan 1988 pickup lang ako. Hanggang ngayon sa Davao, pickup lang ako (I do not ride on vehicles People from Davao know that. I only use a 1988 pickup. Until now, I use that pickup,” the president said.
The president reiterated that he would step down from office if any of his children gets involved in corruption.
“My campaign is against corruption. I am doing that. One of my promises is the war on drugs, I’m doing that. Cases? All of us in government have cases. Jail? So be it. I that’s my luck in life. To be president and to be jailed, it’s okay as long as there is no corruption,” he said.
“Huwag lang ‘yang pera kasi nakakahiya kung buhay ka mas lalong nakakahiya kung patay ka na (If money is involved, it would be embarrassing while you are still alive. It would be more embarrassing once you are dead.”
Source : http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/13/1680696/duterte-reject-luxury-car-gift