Drugs back in Davao? Palace questions Duterte son's efficiency

Malacañang on Monday turned the tables on former President Rodrigo Duterte after he claimed at a campaign rally that the drug menace was back in Davao, Cebu, and Manila.

At a news briefing, Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro questioned the efficiency of Duterte's son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte if drugs were back in the city.

Asked to comment on Duterte's remarks in Mandaue, Cebu that drugs were back in Davao, Cebu, and Manila, Castro said, "Davao, including Davao City?" 

"Okay, kung Davao City ang pinag-uusapan natin, sino ba ang mayor ng Davao City? ‘Di ba iyong anak niya? Si Mayor Baste Duterte. So, ang ibig bang sabihin noon ay napaka-inefficient ng anak niya?'' Castro said.

(If we're talking about Davao City, who's the mayor of Davao City? Isn't it Mayor Baste Duterte? Does this mean his son is inefficient.)

Castro asked for the basis of Duterte's claim.

"Again, ulitin natin, nasaan ang data patungkol dito? At tandaan natin, noong panahon niya at least ngayon may record kung may namamatay, noong panahon niya mayroon bang nare-record doon sa mga biglang nawawalang mga tao? Tanong lang natin iyon," Castro said.

"So, dapat iyon siguro alamin din niya. Pero as of now sabi nga natin anak niya ang namumuno sa Davao City, bakit ganoon ang kaniyang reason?'' she added.

(Again, we will reiterate, where's the data on this? And let's remember during his time, was there any record of the missing individuals? That's our question. So, he should know that. As of now, his son is leading Davao City. What's with his reason?)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Duterte camp and will publish it as soon as it is available,

Aside from the claim on illegal drugs, Duterte also believed that his successor, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., might not cede power when his term ends in 2028.

Marcos might impose martial law like his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., to guarantee a no-election situation and extend his stay in Malacañang, Duterte said.

Malacañang already dismissed the latest accusations as merely a “tall tale.” –NB, GMA Integrate News