Paolo Duterte resigns as Davao City Vice Mayor

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte resigned as Vice Mayor of Davao this morning, December 25, 20017, during the special session.

After he banged the gavel approving the  use of the remaining P80-million calamity fund of the city  for the victims of disaster in the city. Duterte asked Councilor Bernie Al-ag to preside as he delivered a privilege speech about  resignation.

There was total silence inside the session hall as Duterte was emotional when he  delivered his speech. Everyone was caught flat-footed.

 “There are recent unfortunate events in my life that are closely tied to my failed 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 full responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a wrong decision to marry at a very young age,” Duterte  in a privilege speech stressed.

His voice cracked as he read “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 thanked Davaoeños for the support given to his office “And I look forward to the day that I will be able to serve our country again.”

In ending his speech, Duterte said “I hereby tender my resignation as Vice Mayor of Davao City effective today December 25,2017.”

After delivering his speech, Paolo hurriedly left the session hall using the Magallanes exit.

His younger sister Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was captured by ABS-CBN video, rushing to follow him and hugged his “Manong” Paolo.

Duterte-Carpio in an interview with reporters said her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, knew long before that Paolo wanted to resign as Vice Mayor.

“In his statement, he is clear about the reason he resigned. I understand where he is coming from: he is not entirely putting the blame on another person, but on his decision when he was younger,” Duterte-Carpio told reporters.

She said Paolo Duterte’s staff would be “moved to the city mayor’s office. “

Paolo’s resignation will be decided by the Office of the President, pending the decision, Paolo will be on leave, she added.

Once the President accepts Vice Mayor Duterte’s resignation, the top councilor – Bernard Al-ag – will assume his position, according to succession rules under the Local Government Code, Carpio said.

As mayor, she said, she would assist him in the transition work in the city council.

Paolo, she said, would go “back to private life and spend time with his children.

Duterte deactivated his facebook page after he posted a message to express gratitude to Davao people.

In October 2007, the then, very private Paolo Duterte also shocked Davaoeños when he filed his certificate of candidacy as Barangay Captain of Catalunan Grande, a position which ushered him to the Liga na mga Barangay sit at the City Council.

Then, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, was not even aware his son was vying the barangay post because he was in China for an official visit did not know he filed his certificate of candidacy  at 10:30 in the evening just hours before the deadline.

He ran and won the vice mayorship in 2013 and 2016 unopposed. He is serving his second term of office-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph