Paolo Duterte

Paolo Duterte
Vice Mayor of Davao City
In office
June 30, 2013 – January 5, 2018
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (2013–2016)
Sara Duterte (2016–2018)
Preceded by Rodrigo Duterte
Succeeded by Bernard Al-ag (acting)
ABC President City Councilor
In office
January 6, 2008 – June 30, 2013
Personal details
Born Paolo Zimmerman Duterte
(1975-03-24) March 24, 1975
Davao City, Philippines
Political party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod
Spouse(s)
Lovelie Sangkola
(m. 1990; div. 2006)

January Navares (m. 2010)
Relations Rodrigo Duterte (father)
Elizabeth Zimmerman (mother)
Sara Duterte (sister)
Sebastian "Baste" Duterte (brother)
Veronica Duterte (half sister)
Vicente Duterte (grandfather)
Soledad Duterte (grandmother)
Children 5
Residence Davao City
Alma mater University of Mindanao
University of Southeastern Philippines
Lyceum-Northwestern University
Occupation Politician
Profession Businessperson

Paolo "Pulong" Zimmerman Duterte (born March 24, 1975) is a Filipino politician who previously served as Vice Mayor of Davao City and the eldest son of former Mayor of Davao City and now Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte.[1]

He announced his intention to resign as Vice Mayor of Davao City on December 25, 2017. On January 5, 2018, his father, President Rodrigo Duterte accepted his resignation.[2]

Early life and education

Paolo Zimmerman Duterte was born on March 24, 1975 in Davao City. He is the eldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman, a Filipina of American and German Jewish descent.[3] His sister, Sara Duterte, is the incumbent Mayor of Davao City.

For his elementary and secondary studies, Duterte studied at the Philippine Women's College of Davao, obtaining his high school diploma in 1991. He attended the University of Mindanao, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in commerce in 2002. Duterte also had graduate studies at the University of Southeastern Philippines, where he attained his master's degree in public administration in 2009, and at the Lyceum-Northwestern University, where he attained his doctorate degree, also in public administration, in 2015.[3]

Career

Paolo Duterte started his career as a politician as a barangay captain serving the barangay of Catalunan Grande of Davao City's Talomo District from November 15, 2007 to June 30, 2013. In the later part of his barangay captain stint from July 2011 to June 2013, Duterte was Vice President for Mindanao Liga ng mga Barangay National (lit. Mindanao National Barangay League).[3]

He was also part of the 15th and 16th City Council in Davao as a City Councilor from January 6, 2008 to June 30, 2013. He served as ABC Sectoral Representative as a councilor. He was elected as Davao City's Vice Mayor in the 2013 local elections assuming the post on June 30, 2013.[3] He secured a second term in the 2016 local elections.

Duterte later resigned as Vice Mayor of Davao City on December 25, 2017 saying the move was made out of "delicadeza" after he was involved in scandals such as during the Congressional hearings where he was alleged to have a role in smuggling of methamphetamine from China and his public quarrel with his daughter. These were attributed by Duterte to his "failed marriage" to Lovelie Sumera describing his former wife as "incorrigible". He thanked the city council and remarked that he is looking forward to the day he is able to "serve the country again".[4]

Davao City Majority Floor Leader Bernard Al-ag became acting vice mayor upon recognition of his resignation by President Rodrigo Duterte[5] on January 5, 2018.[6] Al-ag would have been succeeded by Mabel Acosta, the number 1 councilor as per the Local Government Code's rules on succession[4] though he will serve Paolo Duterte's term until 2019.[6]

Personal life

Duterte was once married to Lovelie Sangkola,[7] of Tausūg descent, with whom he has 3 children: Omar Vincent Duterte (born January 26, 1994), Rodrigo Duterte II (born February 23, 1998), and Isabelle Lovelie Duterte (born January 26, 2000). They formally separated in 2005 and their divorce was finalized in 2006 rendered by the SHARIA Court. Sangkola was later married to a certain RJ Sumera[8] while Paolo soon married his long time girlfriend, January Navares, under civil ceremony on December 15, 2010. They have 2 children: Sabina Duterte (born July 15, 2006) and Paolo Duterte II (born September 21, 2012).[9] Sangkola was present during Rodrigo Duterte's presidential campaign and guested in events hosted by the Malacañang Palace.[10] Paolo's father, Rodrigo Duterte, has distanced his family from Sangkola, who he claimed in August 2017 to have not seen in ten years, contradicting earlier reports. Sangkola previously visited Malacañang for the Eid'l Fitr celebrations about two months before the elder Duterte made the remark and was also reportedly present at the Resorts World Manila when it was attacked by a gunman. Initial reports said that it was Paolo Duterte's wife who was at the resort casino, but later reports said it was his former wife. Paolo Duterte said the misreporting could have been prevented if Sangkola did not "misrepresent" herself as a Duterte with her former wife calling his remark which she said put as callous as a response.[10]

Controversies

Alleged involvements

With the Davao Death Squad

Confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) leader retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas has testified under oath that Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte prevented the arrest of a drug suspect in 2014.[11][12][13] Lascañas' statement was corroborated by the earlier statement of the first self-confessed DDS hitman, Edgar Matobato, alleging that not only had Paolo Duterte received a shipment of suspected contraband, but he had also ordered the slay of local businessman Richard King.[14]

Drug trade

After the dismissal of the Senate investigation on the DDS,[15] Paolo Duterte's name came up again during the House of Representatives' investigation on the 6.4 Billion Pesos "Shabu" (Crystal Metamphetamine) Drugs Shipment that was raided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Bureau of Customs (BoC). Customs Broker Mark Taguba, one of the BoC officials linked to the shipment has testified that Paolo Duterte was allegedly part of the "Davao group" that uses their influence in the BoC to allow the drug shipments to bypass full inspection.[16][17] Opposition member Senator Antonio Trillanes has also released documents as proof of Paolo Duterte's alleged involvement in the smuggling industry.[18] Paolo Duterte's father, President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to step down as president if his son was proven to be involved in corruption.[19] During the investigation, several photos and documents came out in social media and blogs showing the close relationship and friendship of Paolo Duterte with the individuals involved in the drug shipment.[20] The Malacañang Palace and President Duterte has dismissed these photos claiming that they were merely propaganda and does not prove Paolo Duterte's involvement.[21] On August 31, 2017, Taguba revealed through text message (SMS) evidence that a Davao Councilor, Nilo "Small" Abellera, asked him to pay P5 million so he could seek protection from Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte after being implicated in the 6.4 billion drug smuggling case.[22] A few days after his testimony, Taguba apologized to the Duterte family, stating that he never testified against Paolo Duterte and cleared them from being involved in the drugs mess.[23] Trillanes, however, alleges that Taguba was pressured to apologize because he feared for his life.[24]

"Good am, Mark. We’ll make final arrangement with Jack, he’s the handler of Paolo, now we have to advance the enroll. He can fly down to Davao to arrange your meeting with Pulong ASAP. During the meeting, you personally turn over the P5M, in the same manner you likewise turned over the LMLN to Jack when we met."

— Text message showing Paolo Duterte's alleged involvement, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/926975/breaking-news-richard-gordon-antonio-trillanes-iv-paolo-duterte-davao-city-mark-taguba-ii-davao-group-bureau-of-customs-customs-vicente-sotto-iii-blue-ribbon-committee-ethics-committee

As of August 2017, Paolo Duterte is implicated along with his sister's husband, Manases Carpio, in the 6.4 billion drug smuggling case, being investigated by the Senate.[25]

Chinese Triad

On September 7, 2017, Paolo Duterte was made to appear before the Senate. During the hearing, Senator Trillanes verified an "intelligence" item that he independently researched, regarding Paolo Duterte's back tattoo as a membership tattoo of the Chinese Triad. Trillanes had asked if the tattoo is dragon-shaped; Paolo Duterte refused to show his back tattoo, not confirming the veracity of Trillanes' intelligence item.[26] Paolo Duterte had refused to talk about his connection to the Triad, claiming that Trillanes' accusations are based on hearsay.[27] Rather than disproving Trillanes' claims by showing his alleged Triad tattoo, Paolo and his sister Sara Duterte used social media to mock and ridicule Trillanes. Currently, Paolo Duterte has not denied his membership to a Chinese triad.[28] Rodrigo Duterte, Paolo Duterte's father, reacted to this by telling Philippine soldiers to engage with Trillanes in a gun duel and by threatening to expose Trillanes' alleged offshore accounts.[29][30] President Duterte also ordered the Philippine National Police to kill Paolo Duterte or any of his children caught being involved with the illegal drug trade. Duterte stated that he will silence his critics by showing to them his children's corpses.[31] Despite the Duterte family's mockery of Trillanes' accusation of their ties to the Triad, Duterte later on admitted to the media that drugs is indeed being smuggled into the Philippines by the Chinese Triad, stating that Philippines is the client state of 14K and the Bamboo Triad. Duterte also claimed that the Abu Sayyaf has a "franchise", contrary to what the state's own security forces' intelligence have been stating.[32][33]

Smuggling

Perfecto Tagalog, from the Coalition of Filipino Consumers, called Paolo Duterte, "the lord of smugglers" after revealing a 2007 intelligence report submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The report, which was submitted by the PASG (Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group), stated that Paolo Duterte was a business partner in smuggling activities and was responsible in the proliferation of smuggled sub-urban Vehicles and high-end cars in the entire Davao Region. They also engaged in the smuggle of rice, sugar, and ukay-ukay (used clothing). It further added that no actions were being done against the bold and rampant smuggling activities due to the influence of the Dutertes, causing the government millions of payable tax to be lost.[34]

President Rodrigo Duterte, says that his son frequents in the Port of Davao to help his former wife Lovelie Sangkola in their family business, but denies that the goods such as jars and ukay-ukay clothing let in to the port by his son's in-laws constitute smuggling and said he will resign if allegation of corruption against his son is proven urging his critics to provide accounting records.[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Sara and Paolo Duterte take oaths as mayor, vice-mayor of Davao City". GMA News. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Duterte accepts son Paolo's resignation as Davao vice mayor". CNN Philippines. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Vice Mayor's Profile". Davao City Government. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Paolo Duterte resigns as Davao City vice-mayor". Rappler. December 25, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  5. ↑ Careno, Karina (26 December 2017). "Al-ag: Let's wait if President accepts Paolo's resignation". Sun Star Davao. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 Lim, Frinston (5 January 2018). "Davao City councilor claims he will succeed resigned Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte". Inquirer Mindanao. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Mrs. Lovelie S. Duterte Archives - Politiko Visayas Mindanao". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Pulong Duterte corrects Annabelle Rama: Hindi yan ang asawa ko". 23 May 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "Duterte's partner reacts to property expose". 3 May 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Paolo Duterte's ex-wife Lovelie among President's guests in Malacañang". www.manilatimes.net. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  11. ↑ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent. "Lascañas: Paolo Duterte stopped arrest of drug suspect in 2014". Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  12. ↑ News, Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN. "Paolo Duterte blocked entrapment of drug suspect - Lascañas". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  13. ↑ "Lascañas: Duterte son protected alleged drug lord". Rappler. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  14. ↑ Quismundo, Ador Vincent S. Mayol, Maila Ager, Tarra. "Duterte's son linked to slays, drugs". Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  15. ↑ "Lacson questions witness testimony on Richard King slay". Rappler. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  16. ↑ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson. "Paolo Duterte's name crops up at House BOC inquiry". Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  17. ↑ Diaz, Jess. "Duterte son dragged into BOC corruption scandal". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  18. ↑ "Paolo Duterte a 'smuggler'? Trillanes releases documents anew". Rappler. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  19. ↑ Salaverria, Leila B. "Duterte: I'll quit if my son is into corruption". Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  20. ↑ "Nakakaadik na pagkakaibigan: Paolo Duterte at Charlie Tan | Change Scamming". changescamming.net. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  21. ↑ Corrales, Nestor. "Palace says photos showing Paolo Duterte with Kenneth Dong mere propaganda". Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  22. ↑ Jesus, Julliane Love De. "Alias 'Small' of Davao appears at Senate hearing". Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  23. ↑ Jesus, Julliane Love De. "Taguba apologizes to Duterte son, in-law, clears them from drug smuggling mess". Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  24. ↑ Jesus, Julliane Love De. "Trillanes says Taguba pressured to apologize". Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  25. ↑ Jesus, Julliane Love De. "Gordon, Trillanes clash over invite to Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio". Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  26. ↑ Roxas, Pathricia Ann V. "Trillanes: 'Dragon-like' tattoo links Paolo Duterte to 'triad'". Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  27. ↑ Jesus, Julliane Love De. "Paolo Duterte says 'No way' to showing tattoo". Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  28. ↑ Salaverria, Allan Nawal, Leila B. "Pulong's 'Triad tattoo' lights up social media". Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  29. ↑ Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "Duterte tells soldiers: Dare Trillanes to gun duel". m.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  30. ↑ Jerusalem, Jigger. "Duterte says Trillanes has offshore bank accounts". m.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  31. ↑ Corrales, Nestor. "Duterte orders cops: Kill my son if he's involved in illegal drugs". Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  32. ↑ Corrales, Nestor. "Duterte: Triad supplying illegal drugs to PH is based in Taiwan, not China". Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  33. ↑ Carragal, Ian Nicholas. "Duterte: Bamboo triad gave franchise to Abu Sayyaf". Retrieved 2017-09-29.
  34. ↑ "Duterte, son tagged in rice smuggling - The Manila Times Online". www.manilatimes.net. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  35. ↑ "Duterte on son's alleged shady BOC deals: Prove it and I'll resign". www.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
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