November 29, 2025 | Manila, Philippines
Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte issued a sharply worded statement criticizing what he described as selective accountability in ongoing corruption investigations involving billions of pesos in government funds.
In his statement, Duterte questioned why individuals allegedly involved in large-scale fund irregularities were able to return only small amounts when caught—without disclosing the full extent of the money involved or the identities of the higher-ups purportedly behind them.
“Hindi kami tanga,” Duterte said, stressing that accumulating ₱110 million could not be done by a single person alone. He insisted that such operations must have a “padrino, protector, or financier,” and that the public is fully aware of this.
He criticized what he called the pattern of “small fries” being exposed while the “big fish” remain silent and out of sight, waiting for issues to die down before attempting to appear “clean.”
Duterte also directly challenged several public figures and lawmakers whom he referred to as part of a “barkada of budget manipulators”—naming Zaldy Co, Martin, Sandro, Baby Em, and others—to return what he alleged to be their share of misused public funds if they were serious about fighting corruption.
“Hangga’t hindi lumalabas ang mga big fish, hangga’t mga tauhan lang ang sinasakripisyo, hindi ito reporma. Damage control lang para maisalba ang mga mastermind,” he said.
The congressman lamented what he described as long-standing large-scale theft from the national coffers, saying the Philippines continues to suffer from both economic loss and public deception.
“Kawawang Pilipinas… pinagnakawan na nga ng trilyones, nakuha pang lokohin,” Duterte remarked, calling on Filipinos to recognize the pattern of corruption and take a stand against what he labeled the greed of powerful individuals.