Duterte hits back at critics, defends remark on “depleted” government funds

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FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte.

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte hit back at his critics who called him for claiming government coffers were depleted due to the pandemic, so he had to seek money for Typhoon Odette relief (international name: Rai).

In a command briefing that was held at General Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu on Thursday, but made public by Malacañang on Saturday, Duterte defended his remark by explaining that he really had to seek funds to raise 10 billion pesos for the typhoon response.

“Now you know these critics who (say) have the money, the other agencies that we cut just to produce. The money I said was there, not right away. It’s not there, ”the president said.

“Money, there is, but it’s not for this sudden situation. We have to – sweep first, bring me here, bring me there, just to make 10 billion pesos. Now I think we’ve collected that many already, and it’s all about distribution, ”he added.

December 17 – After news of Odette’s devastation in northern Mindanao, southern Visayas and Palawan, Duterte said he was late for a briefing because he and the finance hub had to raise funds since that the government’s budget was exhausted. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: Duterte says looking for money for typhoon victims as funds ‘run out’ due to COVID-19

During Monday’s Talk to the People conference, Duterte also reiterated his fear that government funds could be depleted if another wave of COVID-19 were to hit the country, especially with the looming threat of the Omicron variant.

READ: Duterte worries again about ‘funds depleted’ amid possible spread of Omicron variant

But his statements drew criticism, especially from opposition leader and former Bayan Muna MP Neri Colmenares, who stressed that the government had made a number of loans and had plenty of funds.

Senator Richard Gordon, on the other hand, urged the president to examine the anomaly involving Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., a company accused of billing the government for overpriced pandemic supplies.

READ: Duterte’s claim for lack of funds disputed

Last Wednesday, Acting Budget Secretary Tina Rose Canda explained that of the 10 billion pesos pledged by Duterte for typhoon aid, 6 billion pesos would come from the national budget planned for 2022. The spending proposal national plans for next year only awaits the signature of the President.

She also said that P2 billion would come from the disaster fund, while the remaining 2 billion would come from the president’s contingency fund.

From December 16 to 18, Typhoon Odette ravaged several provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao, leading observers to compare it to the effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

READ: Odette: The impact on the PH is described as “catastrophic”

On Saturday morning, the National Management Council for Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRRMC) said 367 deaths had been reported from Typhoon Odette while 51 were still missing.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the number of people affected by the typhoon rose to 3,918,689 or 1,000,742 families, while 108,082 homes were totally damaged.

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TAGS: #OdettePH, Bohol, funds depleted, Mindanao, Neri Colmenares, Palawan, Philippine news, President Rodrigo Duterte, relief operations, Senator Richard Gordon, Typhoon Odette, Visayas For comments, complaints or inquiries contact we.

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