In a recent public speech, President Rodrigo Duterte falsely claimed that the founding of the Philippine republic was in 1947. He also made an inaccurate claim that his relatives – the Durano political clan – have been leading Danao City, Cebu for “almost 15 decades.”
STATEMENT
On April 4, Duterte suggested amending the 1987 Constitution to prevent “rich” and political dynasties from misusing the party-list system, intended to give underrepresented sectors a voice in the House of Representatives. He said this in a speech before local officials of Mataasnakahoy, Batangas when he visited to inspect its new evacuation center.
Duterte claimed that being from a poor family in Danao City forced them to migrate to Mindanao to avoid a potential turf war with the ruling Durano political dynasty:
“Lahat ng pumunta [sa] Mindanao, umalis sa bayan nila kasi naghahanap ng greener pasture, kagaya ng tatay ko, mahirap man sila doon sa Danao, Cebu City — ah Cebu — Danao City, Cebu Province. Eh hawak nila Durano — Durano family matagal, ilang — about almost 15 decades. After the war, sila na … Pinsan namin because ‘yung asawa Duterte… Kaysa magpatayan — ganoon talaga ang nangyari — magkainitan, sumibat na lang siya. Dinala kami doon sa Mindanao. So laking hirap talaga ako.”
(Everybody who went to Mindanao, they left their town to search for greener pastures, like my father. They were poor from Danao City, Cebu. But the Durano family rules [Danao City]. The Durano family has been [in power] for almost 15 decades. After the war, they began ruling …We are cousins because the spouse is a Duterte … To prevent any killings — that would really happen — or conflict, [my father] left. He brought us to Mindanao. So I really grew up in poverty.)
Source: Presidential Communications Operations official website, Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, April 4, 2022, watch from 26:59 to 28:02
In the latter part of his speech, he said that the Philippines has a “good” constitution, but several provisions, including the party-list system, have to be amended.
“The Constitution is not really a perfect one. I would not say it is the worst constitution, but we have copied that from America, word-for-word halos (almost), when we established the Republic in 1947, naging (we became the) Republic of the Philippines tayo.”
Source: Presidential Communications Operations official website, Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, April 4, 2022, watch from 35:01 to 35:24
FACT
Duterte’s statements are both false.
Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.
