Duterte says Philippines was known ” for not honoring contractual obligations”

April 18, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the Philippines is known for not honoring contracts during the time of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.

Speaking in a campaign rally at Batangas City, Duterte attacked opposition senatorial candidate Hilbay saying he did not win any cases.

"He did not win. Did we win in our cases?," he said.

"We are paying a lot, for real. Not mine but the previous administration. Damages, contracts," he added.

Duterte said the country was known for not honoring contractual obligations. 

"We were known then as country who does not honor contractual obligations. We are paying a lot (of damages) now," he said.

Duterte again asked why should the public vote for him.

"His a man but why is his name 'Florin'?... What will this guy do?" he said.

Hilbay was Solicitor General during the Aquino administration. He was part of the government's legal team who filed a case in the international tribunal court against China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China's claim over the South China Sea in July 2016. Ella Dionisio/DMS