(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, urged the public not to believe the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism, which has published reports on his family’s wealth, or Rappler.
Duterte made the remark as he lashed out at some journalists who attack and collect money, and then defend and collect money from subjects.
“Dito sa Pilipinas, wala talaga yang investigative journalism. Huwag kayo maniwala dyan sa PCIJ. Pera-pera lang ‘yan …itong Rappler, itong mga warik-warik,” Duterte said.
Duterte said the fact that his family had sources of income outside of government was “none of their (critics’) business.”
He said his law office was there to ensure they would have a source of income should he lose the elections.
He said he inherited money from their mother, had a saw mill business, logging business, among others.
“Akala naman ng mga taga-Manila, itong Rappler, ganito ako kahirap,” he said.
The PCIJ has released reports on the alleged spikes in Duterte family’s wealth since they assumed office.
The reports came out months before the elections in May.