Duterte told son Paolo before resigning: Do what is right

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 26) — President Rodrigo Duterte offered Paolo "Pulong" Duterte advice prior to his sudden resignation as Davao City Vice Mayor.

"Tinanong niya ako. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'You are in a position to do what is right. Kung ano lang ang tama sa iyo, gawin mo,'" the President said in a media briefing early Tuesday morning, when he visited victims of the deadly Davao City mall fire.

[Translation: He asked me. I told him, "You are in a position to do what is right. Do what you feel is right for you."]

He said, despite all the issues, he never told Paolo to resign.

Paolo resigned as Davao City Vice Mayor on Monday. Although he did not specify the reason for his resignation, he said one reason was the "maligning of his reputation" due to his alleged involvement in the smuggling of P6.4-billion worth of drugs from China.

The vice mayor and his brother-in-law Mans Carpio appeared at Senate hearings on the shipment, after fixer Mark Taguba said both are part of the "Davao Group," accused of peddling influence at the Bureau of Customs.

He also mentioned "recent unfortunate events" closely tied to his marriage at a young age.

The former vice mayor referred to his public squabble on social media with his daughter, Isabelle. In her private Twitter account, Isabelle posted about someone with the Duterte last name beating up a child, though she did not identify who.

Paolo said he resigned because he values "delicadeza," which was instilled on him as a child.

The President said his son must have been "fed up" with all the controversies tied to his name.

He also told Paolo to "let the people decide."