Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte resigns

MANILA, Philippines (Update 2 4:48 p.m.) —  Paolo Duterte, the son of President Rodrigo Duterte who was recently embroiled in a controversy at the Bureau of Customs for allegations that he was involved in the smuggling of illegal drugs in the country, resigned as vice mayor of Davao City Monday.

In making the announcement, Duterte stunned members of the city of council of Davao City which was meeting just after ferocious blaze devoured a mall and killed more than three dozen people over the weekend.

Duterte cited allegations of his involvement in the smuggling of billions of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, and family problems in his decision to relinquish the city's second highest office effective December 25.

"I hereby tender my resignation as vice mayor of Davao City today December 25, 2017," Duterte, the eldest son of the president, told a surprised city council.

"There are recent unfortunate events in my life that are closely tied to my failed first marriage. These, among others, include the maligning of my reputation in the recent name dropping incident in the Bureau of Customs smuggling case and very public squabble with my daughter," Duterte said.

Subject to president's approval

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that her brother would be on leave as the decision on whether to accept or reject the resignation rested with the office of their father, President Duterte.

"While awaiting the official acceptance of the resignation, he is on leave from the office of the vice mayor because only the Office of the President can accept the resignation of the vice mayor," she told reporters.

She said that both the president and she knew of the vice mayor's plan to step down from office, stressing that she supported whatever would make her brother happy.

Carpio said that once the resignation was accepted by their father Councilor Bernie Al-ag would become the city's vice mayor based on the rules of succession. She added that Paolo's staff would be transferred to the Office of the City Mayor.

Carpio said that her brother would return to being a private citizen and would spend more time with his family and children.

"It is not my life where I can do something about it. I can only be here for my brother and support him on whatever his decisions may have," she said.

Possible reasons

A broker who faciliated a P6.4 billion shipment of illegal drugs from China pinned Duterte and his brother-in-law Mans Carpio for their supposed involvement in a group that facilitated smuggling in the Customs Bureau.

Mark Taguba, a customs fixer, told congressional investigations in August that he had given money to Duterte's group to facilitate his transactions in the government agency, perennially tagged as one of the most corrupt.

Duterte attended a Senate panel probe into the issue. He however refused to show a supposed tattoo on his back that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV alleged was proof of his membership in an international criminal syndicate.

Recently, Duterte had a public spat with his daughter Isabelle after the young Duterte posted critical social media posts about him. The vice mayor took to Facebook to answer his daughter's post, saying that she did not know how to respect, and she was a "disgrace."

According to Duterte, his parents always reminded him of the value of delicadeza, or sense of propriety. He said that this was one of those moments when he needed to protect his honor and that of his children.

"I am grateful to all the Dabawenyos for your support to my office, and I look forward to the day that I will be able to serve the country again," he said, keeping open the possibility that he will seek a local, even national, post in the future.

The vice mayor also expressed sympathies with the families of the victims of the flooding and mudslides caused by Tropical Storm Vinta which left at least 200 people dead and many more missing in Mindanao.

He also alluded to the tragic death of 37 people in a fire in mall in the city in his resignation, describing this year's Christmas as "difficult" for the people of the city.

"It is a difficult Christmas day for many Dabawenyos including myself, but we are strong and resilient, and we shall move forward," he said.

Despite the resignation, the Dutertes will still maintain their domination of Davao City politics as the town's mayor would still be his sister, Duterte-Carpio.