MANILA, Philippines — Rather than offering to step down, President Rodrigo Duterte “only needs to be consistent in applying the anti-graft and corruption laws to both friends and foes,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday. Lacson made the suggestion after the President disclosed that he had offered to resign due to endless corruption in the government. During a taped address aired late Monday, Duterte also expressed willingness to appear before Congress to discuss measures to end corruption. Lacson was referring to a bill he recently filed with Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. The said measure seeks to grant the President powers to “suspend the requirements for national and local permits, license and certifications” during times of national emergencies.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 29, 2020 01:30 UTC