Duterte to Poe: As if she’s the only moral person in this world

May 11, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte said he was forced to ask for China's help after reelectionist Senator Grace Poe rejected his administration's request for an emergency power, which would entail funds, to solve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

In his speech during the miting de avance of Hugpong ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod in Davao City, Duterte also hit Poe, one of the front-runners in the senatorial race in the upcoming May 13 elections, saying, as if "she's the only moral person in this world."

He explained that upon the suggestion of his staff, he tried to ask for money from Congress to address traffic woes in the metropolis.

But he said he changed his mind after Poe commented that the requested amount was "too big."

"Look at our progress, the roads in Luzon have greatly improved. You know, when I started to work as President, we asked for money, but I didn't say that I was asking for emergency powers. It was the suggestion of my staff," Duterte said.

"In Congress, Grace Poe made a comment. She said, 'that amount of money is just too big. We might lose all that money to corruption.' So when I heard it, I told the Congress, 'never mind. I will not ask for money anymore, forget it.' I looked for help elsewhere, so I went to China," the President added.

Duterte explained that in order to solve the traffic problem, particularly in Edsa, one of his campaign promises, he needed money.

"Nothing is free in this world," he said.

"It is the first time that I named Grace. This is the very first time, in this campaign. She was the one who said it. It was full of malice. It's as if she thinks she's the only moral person in this world," Duterte said.

Poe is an independent senatorial candidate. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS