Jesus Dureza to people: 'Support Duterte'

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said yesterday it still has to clarify whether resigned presidential assistant on the peace process Jesus Dureza, who promised to continue supporting President Duterte in a private capacity, will remain as special envoy to the European Union.

Palace sources said Dureza’s term as special envoy will end on Dec. 31. He was appointed to the position on Oct. 23.

In a statement a day after resigning, Dureza called on all Filipinos to support Duterte, saying the President needs the people’s help to fulfill all his dreams for the country.

“I believe in him and in his sincere intentions for our country. He cannot do this alone,” Dureza said.

Dureza, a high school classmate of Duterte at the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur, resigned from his post after Duterte fired on Tuesday OPAPP undersecretary for support services Ronald Flores and assistant secretary Yeshter Donn Baccay for alleged corruption.

Duterte made the announcement during the inauguration of the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport on Tuesday evening.

Dureza has been with OPAPP since Duterte assumed office in 2016.

He was also the peace adviser during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was presidential assistant for Mindanao during the term of then president Fidel Ramos.

Dureza is leaving the OPAPP just when the government is in the final phase of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Organic Law approval through a plebiscite.

Flores was also the manager of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) development program, which is in charge of infrastructure and other projects that OPAPP implements in conflict-affected areas.

Flores and Baccay were fired as Duterte ramped up his campaign against the communist New People’s Army and days after he sacked Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council secretary-general Falconi Millar, who allegedly asked money from a company with receivables from the housing agency.

The President said he accepted Dureza’s resignation out of command responsibility.

“So he thought that it was only proper that with the involvement of his two subordinates (in corruption), he offered to resign and I accepted,” Duterte said during a brief press conference the other night.

Duterte said the two OPAPP officials “messed up” but did not elaborate.

The President also pointed out the appointment of Bacay was illegal because Flores signed it when it should have been done by a regional director.

Duterte said in fairness to Dureza, no irregularity could be attributed to him and “I am zeroing in on (Flores and Baccay).”

Duterte also said Dureza did not ask for any other position upon resigning. “Besides, what would be an equivalent to a secretary position? It’s all occupied.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said Dureza was a big loss to the administration since he has been involved in the peace process for the longest time and has become an “expert” with a vast “network.”

In his letter, Dureza said “I am sad because despite my efforts to be compliant with your strong advocacy against corruption, I failed.”

“I truly am sad that OPAPP, as an institution which I head, had to suffer publicly due to the acts of a few. Nonetheless, I take full responsibility and apologize for all this,” Dureza wrote.

Dureza said he is voluntarily tendering his resignation to pave the way for the needed reorganization that the President may wish to undertake at OPAPP.

Dureza thanked Duterte for the opportunity to serve, adding he knew that the President was already determined to fire Flores and Baccay during a peace and order council meeting held in Davao City Monday night. – With Edith Regalado, Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe