Duterte to sell presidential yacht for AFP, PNP buildings

MANILA, Philippines – Presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte on Monday reiterated his proclamation that he is selling the presidential yacht to fund buildings for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Duterte said the presidential yacht "BRP Ang Pangulo" is not being used that’s why he is selling it instead so that its proceeds will benefit the police and the military.

In a press briefing held Sunday midnight, Duterte mentioned that he plans to sell the BRP Ang Pangulo for the benefit of veterans, improvement of hospital facilities, and salaries for doctors to avoid leaving the country for high paying jobs.

“I announced last night that I am selling the Pangulo, that yacht there. It’s parking somewhere, not being used and to think that the people are hungry and jobless. It could be an obscene thing to see a Pangulo there,” Duterte said in a press conference.

“Ipagbili ko ‘yan. The proceeds will be solely devoted to refurbish if I can... The proceeds are good enough, I’ll build a new building for the military and the police,” he said, adding that he will buy them CitiScan for their health needs, among others.

Duterte said he also plans to send specialists such as neuro or orthopedic surgeons to school but if the funds are not enough, he will instead renovate the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

“Kung di kaya, kung ganoon lang ang kikitain ko, I’ll just refurbish the Veteran Memorial Hospital. I’ll just bring it also in par with the other hospitals in Manila para naman kung mamatay ka wala kang sisihin,” he said.

In 1986, late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino also put the presidential yacht for sale for US$5.5 million, however it was not sold. According to the Palace website, it cost P400,000 a month to maintain the BRP Ang Pangulo.