MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte clarified on Monday that his naming House members linked to corruption was not a pronouncement of a guilty verdict, but that he merely read names that popped up in a list.
Duterte repeatedly made this clarification during his televised pre-recorded briefing before announcing the names of lawmakers accused of corruption, saying that the presumption of innocence follows in these cases.
The President in the past used his briefings to give updates on the government’s COVID-19 response to mention officials either suspended or dismissed — an assurance to the public that his administration remained committed to fighting corruption.
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Keep on reading: Duterte softens stance on alleged corrupt solons: All presumed innocent