By Junex Doronio

MANILA — A co-chairperson of the House Quad Committee on Thursday revealed that Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte would like to attend and participate in its next hearing regarding the connection between the illegal drug trade, extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in the country.

This developed as former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog revealed that he sought asylum in the United States to prevent the Duterte administration from falsely linking former senators Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon to illegal drugs.

“We have received a copy of letter coming from the Hon. Paolo Z. Duterte with regards to some queries, addressed to the Quad Committee chairman,” House Committee on Public Accounts chairman Joseph Stephen Paduano said.

Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, the overall chairman of the Quadcom, then asked the Committee secretary to extend the invitation to Rep. Duterte, the eldest son of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“Well, the letter states that there are questions that the Hon. Paolo Duterte wishes to ask the resource persons. And may we just ask the Committee Secretary to please make sure that the invitation will be extended to the Hon. Paolo Duterte in the next Quadcom hearing with the topic on drugs and extrajudicial killings,” Barbers quipped.

Meanwhile, Mabilog claimed that he was threatened by Duterte.

He flew overseas in 2017 after he was included in Duterte’s narco list. In the last seven years, Mabilog was in self-exile in the US but has strongly denied the drug allegations.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Veering away from the vixenish persona of his father and sister, Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte has filed a bill seeking to establish facilities that will provide temporary protection, support, and treatment to abused women and children across the country.

Cong Pulong noted that despite various initiatives to address domestic violence, it remains prevalent and this “sad reality” moved him to push for the establishment of facilities that will immediately cater to, accommodate, and provide integration, protection, support, and treatment for abused women and children.

“It is about time that we codify similar facilities into legislation for its institutionalization, thereby increasing the number of halfway houses for women and children victims of domestic violence across the country,” the younger Duterte said.

Based on recent surveys, Cong Pulong emerged as a strong senatorial contender in 2025.

Under his House Bill 8985 or the proposed “Halfway Houses for Abused Women and Children Act”, Cong Pulong said halfway houses will be established across the country.

He explained that his measure is similar to the “Haven for Women” established by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide temporary shelter and protective custody to women ages 18-59 years old who are victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, illegal recruitment, battered/abused women, victims of sexual abuse, women in detention, women victims of armed conflicts and others.

But under his HB 8985, local government units (LGUs) of highly urbanized cities, independent cities, and component cities are mandated to have at least one halfway house in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Cong Pulong said at the end of the allowed 90-day stay, the custody of the abused person shall be entrusted to their most immediate family member, or in their absence, a qualified legal guardian to be determined by the registered social worker assigned to the halfway house, according to the bill.

He added that children who were victims and are still under 7 years of age or those older but with mental or physical disabilities shall be automatically given to the mother, with the right to support, unless there are compelling reasons found by the courts against her.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Acknowledging the Pulse Asia survey that bared 86% of Filipinos believe that fake news is a problem in the country, Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap have jointly filed a bill seeking to penalize online platforms that ostensibly spread fake news.

Jointly authored by Duterte and Yap, House Bill 9422 said that any online platform, such as websites, using a computer system or other electronic medium that fails to act or conduct an investigation on reports of fake news within their respective platforms shall be held liable for a fine of P2 million.

“Given the potential hazards of spreading fake news, it is imperative to penalize those who seek to create and disseminate fake news, most especially through the use of social media,” Duterte and Yap said.

In their explanatory note of HB 9422, they cited the Pulse Asia survey in 2022 that claimed 86% of Filipinos believe that fake news is a problem in the country.

Under the measure, fake news refers to any information, story, news, or fact deliberately distorted, altered, changed, or manipulated by any person with malicious intent which is presented as a fact, the veracity of which cannot be confirmed, with the intent of distorting a fact or proliferating false information and misleading its audience.

If passed, it will amend the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175).

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Touted as a strong contender for the 2025 Senate race based on recent surveys, Davao City’s 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte has bagged the prestigious “Leadership Achiever as Public Servant” award at the Elite Business & Leadership Awards in Manila.

The son of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has expressed his gratitude to the award-giving body, saying that his award was a “shared success” for Davaoeños and the Filipino people.

“This is for Dabawenyos and the Filipino people who have put their trust and confidence in our public service. This signifies the effectiveness of our partnership with our local and national leaders as we bring our programs and services closer to Filipino families,” the young Duterte said.

He added that the recognition of his office’s work is not their end goal; rather, it is the improvement of the lives of the Filipinos they serve.

Maharlika NuMedia gathered that it was the Elite Business & Leadership Awards that honors and acknowledges the distinctive, dedicated, and genuine leadership of accomplished leaders globally, providing them with a professional boost to strengthen their influence.

The Triumph International Events Innovation and Marketing Co. Inc. was also behind the “Elite Award.”

It can be recalled that last month, Cong Pulong was also honored as the “Honorary Congressman of the Year” at the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards ceremony in Manila.

The “senatoriable” Duterte received recognition for crafting several legislative measures that have made significant contributions to the country’s sustainable development.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

CLAIMING TO EMPATHIZE with the public school students who usually go to school with an empty stomach, Davao City Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has filed a bill that will pour P5 billion funds into local farmers who will provide free nutritious meals for children attending public schools and daycare centers.

Touted as a strong senatorial contender in 2025, the oldest son of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte authored House Bill 9331 which will benefit both local farmers and public school students.

“Many of our young students go to school with an empty stomach. Given the family’s tight budget, they are left with no choice but to endure their hunger for the whole day. But it becomes more difficult, as they need nourishment to learn effectively and participate actively in school,” Cong Pulong said in a Facebook post last Monday, Nov. 6.

Octa Research fellow Guido David earlier said that Pulong could be a viable candidate in the next Senate elections as he has been consistently included in the Magic 12 list of senatorial candidates, ranking 9 to 12, in recent surveys.

Cong Pulong stressed that a guaranteed market for farmers fund amounting to P5 billion will be established for the government acquisition.

The young Duterte said he recognized the importance of nutritious foods to fuel students’ learning.

“To address this problem, we have filed House Bill No. 9331, providing free food for children in public schools and daycare centers from products of farmers purchased by the government,” he said.

Aside from feeding the students, Cong Pulong added that farmers stand to benefit from the bill since the government will be mandated to buy the produce of local farmers.

(ai/mnm)

Photo from PTV

By Junex Doronio

SAYING THAT HIS FATHER FIGURE PREFERS ACTION THAN to debates, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has revealed that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not really “too interested” in running for senator in the upcoming midterm elections in 2025.

This developed after news broke out that FRRD’s son Davao City’s 1st district Representative Paulo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte has been consistently included in the Magic 12 list of senatorial candidates, ranking 9 to 12, in recent surveys.

Octa Research fellow Guido David earlier said that Pulong could be a viable candidate in the next Senate elections.

Acknowledging the former president’s advanced age, Dela Rosa said that he wanted Duterte to take a rest from government service.

“On the personal note, pagpahingahin na natin. Kawawa naman ang tao. Matanda na, pagpahingahin na natin, para mag-enjoy siya sa buhay niya,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with Radyo 630 on Sunday, November 5.

To recall, Duterte once served as a representative of Davao City’s 1st district, from June 30, 1998, to June 30, 2001.

Nothing significant can be heard of Duterte’s performance as a congressman during his three-year term.

“Mukhang hindi naman sarado, pero kulang lang talaga siya ng interes as of now,” Dela Rosa admitted.

He added: “Galing na siya Presidente. Napagod na siya, at ngayon hanap ka na naman trabaho. Si PRRD ayaw niya ng buhay legislator. Ayaw niya puro debate. Gusto nya aksyon.”

(ai/mnm)