Rep. Paolo Duterte Slams ‘Big Fish’ Behind Alleged Major Corruption Scandal

Davao City First District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte issued a sharp rebuke against what he described as a massive corruption scandal in the country, criticizing officials who return only a small portion of public funds once implicated without revealing the full amount stolen or the identities of those allegedly backing them.

Duterte said he does not believe that a single individual could accumulate ₱110 million alone, stressing that such operations clearly involve powerful patrons, protectors, and financiers. He added that the public already has a sense of who these figures are, despite efforts to conceal them.

He also took aim at what he called the “big fish” of corruption high-profile personalities who remain silent and out of public view, while their so-called “small fries” are pushed into the spotlight to create the impression that authorities are taking action.

In a pointed challenge, Duterte urged those allegedly involved including Zaldy Co, Martin, Sandro, Baby Em, and other supposed “budget manipulators” to return their share of government funds if they are genuinely committed to fighting corruption. 

He emphasized that true reform cannot happen if only subordinates are sacrificed while masterminds remain untouched, calling the current situation mere damage control and an outright insult to the Filipino people.

“Poor Philippines,” Duterte said, lamenting that trillions of pesos have allegedly been lost to corruption while the nation continues to be misled by those responsible. He ended his statement with a call for the public to wake up, stand firm, and resist what he described as the greed of those in power.

— Based on a statement from Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte / Facebook

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