Paolo Duterte quits as Davao City vice mayor

December 25, 2017

Presidential son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has resigned effective on Christmas Day.

In a statement he read during a special session of the city council, Duterte said he was resigning to protect his honor and that of his children following the "recent unfortunate events" in his life that were closely tied to his 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 the very public squabble with my daughter," he said.

Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, were dragged into the Senate investigation on the P6.4 billion drug smuggling from China last May.

Duterte and Carpio denied allegations that they were involved in the alleged smuggling activities at the BOC.

Also recently, Duterte and his daughter Isabelle from his first marriage exchanged heated words on social media.

Isabelle, who had a controversial pre-debut photo shoot in Malacanang, accused his father of ruining her Christmas every year.

"Just because you have a position in the city doesn't mean you have the right to beat (someone)!!! Just because you have power doesn't mean you can hurt people!! That person whom you exerted your power on is a human being!!! Not just (a) human being, but a child!! Not because you're a Duterte, you can!!," Isabelle tweeted.

In his Facebook post, Duterte, in Visayan language, castigated his daughter for allowing herself to be "pimped twice" by the person whom he did not identify.

Isabelle is now with show business.

Duterte has said that Isabelle embarrassed herself and told her to get an education so that her brain was not empty.

He has also said that Isabelle could change her family name if she wants.

"The other person in this failed relationship is incorrigible and cannot be controlled. And I take responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a wrong decision to marry at a very young age," said Duterte, who eloped with a Maranao woman when he was 18 years old.

"When I was growing up, my parents never failed to remind me of the value of 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 said.

At the same time, Duterte also extended his deepest sympathies to all the families who were struck by tragedies in Davao.

Thirty-seven people were killed when a fire hit a mall in the city, while several others also died due to typhoon "Vinta."

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

Malacanang was yet to issue a statement on whether it accepts Duterte's resignation. Celerina Monte/DMS