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Celebs, personalities scorn Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his attempts to audit the Philippine Red Cross

September 03, 2021 , , , , , , ,

Celebrities and personalities on Friday, September 3, criticized Pres. Rodrigo Duterte after wanting to audit the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), a non-government organization (NGO).

Duterte earlier said that he will demand the Commission on Audit (COA) to audit the organization after a heated exchange with Senator Richard Gordon, the chairman of the PRC.

“The money that you have accumulated all these years would run into billions at ang gusto kong makita ko ang audit talaga na totoo ng Red Cross.

“I will demand, the Executive Department will demand that we be furnished the copies of your audit taken by COA, and COA to give us the copies so that we can review also what you have audited at tignan ba namin kung tama o hindi,” said Duterte.

However, COA, being an independent constitutional commission, has no power to do what the President demands.

“We do not have jurisdiction to audit the organization, yung Philippine National Red Cross,” COA chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said during the deliberations on the proposed 2022 budget of the COA at the House of Representatives.

Celebrities lambasted Duterte for not knowing such a fact, called him derogatory names.

A social media personality, Juan Sergio, described the President’s latest remark as not [really] the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Blogger Tonyo Cruz shared the explanation of Rudolf Philip Jurado, the former Office of the Government Corporate Counsel Chief, pointing that Duterte, being a lawyer, should know the scope and limitations of COA’s power.

Musician Jim Paredes shared CNN Philippines’ tweet, and wrote, “Posting as is” as the news outlet noted that PRC is an “independent, non-government organization.”

A twitter personality even mocked Duterte for his statement, including the Presidential Communications Office (PCCO), for allowing the unedited version and released it to the public.

Duterte’s supporters, the ever-loyal Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) used R.A. 10072 or the Philippine Red Cross Act of 2009 to argue that the President has the power to audit the organization.

However, the law only allows Duterte to demand the submission of its financial condition, nothing more.

A Netizen even took a swipe at the DDS for defending Duterte, a lawyer, who does not understand what COA is for.

Duterte’s most recent remark against the Philippine Red Cross made the former PCCO Asec. JR Santiago suggested to the public that in the upcoming elections, Filipinos should vote for a leader who understands the duties and responsibilities of government agencies, including COA.

Previously, Duterte expressed his desire to run for Vice President in the 2022 election. And if he wins, he promised to ‘personally’ audit COA.

The post Celebs, personalities scorn Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his attempts to audit the Philippine Red Cross appeared first on LionhearTV.


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