What Duterte Said in His Weekly Address (Oct. 27)

Here's what President Rodrigo Duterte said in his weekly address to the nation. This one was aired on Tuesday (Oct. 27).

• Duterte said he would never engage in corruption, and told a story about his mother, Soledad.
• Duterte said he understood why some Cabinet members missed the Monday night meeting due to Typhoon Quinta. The address was taped and aired 8 a.m. the next day.
• READ: GCQ Extended in Metro Manila Until November
• Metro Manila stays under GCQ.
• "Do not try to resign to escape culpability. You cannot resign with a case pending."
• Duterte tasked Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra to lead the anti-corruption task force.
• "Wag kayo pumasok, sumobra... be sure to account for every money, to the last centavo," Duterte said, referring to his reminder for children to shun corruption.
• Health Sec. Duque is not corrupt, the President said.
• "Ayaw ko sa lahat yun delay," Duterte said. Frontline agencies in public service told "Simplify the giving of the money by asking for a proposal and that proposal should not be studied by days and by months. You just review it. If it is for food g***** it ibigay mo kasi for food yan... Do away with delay."
• Sec. Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the COVID-19 reponse, said he would submit a report on vaccines to the President
• Vaccine is "there" and it's only a matter of procurement and distribution, Duterte said, quoting his conversation with China's envoy to Manila.
• READ: Duterte to Focus on Corruption Fight in Last Years of His Term
• "Tell your men if they are in this negotiations, place first a government to government transaction. Ayaw ko yung private person magbili sa private businessmen..." Duterte told DOH Sec. Duque.
• Duterte says he prefers government-to-government transaction to procure vaccines. This guards against corruption.
• No liquor, no weapons should be allowed in cemeteries except for security forces. He expects peaceful commemoration of Undas
• Duterte says seafarers in distress should be brought home.
• Duterte presses Congress on the creation of the Department of Overseas Workers.
• The resignation of officials accused of corruption does not exonerate them from criminal and administrative charges, he said.
• Duterte said he would focus on fighting corruption in his last two years in office, with a focus on the Department of Public Works and Highways.