Excess campaign funds boosts President Duterte’s ’16 income

Duterte said he declared the funds as income because he have it with him but stressed that he paid income tax for it. (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

HONG KONG–President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Saturday attributed the increase of his 2016 income to the excess campaign contributions in last year’s national polls.

“Sobra yan dun sa dumating na wala ng purpose na pera. Tapos di ko na malaman kung sinu-sino (nagbigay) (It’s the additional funds that do not have purpose anymore. And I don’t know who among the donors gave it),” he told reporters in an interview after meeting members of the Filipino community here held at the Regal Airport Hotel.

According to the 2016 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of the President, his net worth rose by around Php 3 million in the last six months of last year to Php 27.43 million from Php 24.08 million as of end-June last year.

This was mainly to the increase of the cash on hand to Php 18.45 million as of end-December from Php 15.31 million at the end of the first half of the year.

Duterte said he declared the funds as income because he have it with him but stressed that he paid income tax for it.

Rule 10 of the Omnibus Rules on Campaign Finance requires candidates and parties to file State of Contributions and Expenditures “not later than five days after the conduct of the elections.”

Regulations also require the candidates to either return it or pay the tax.

Meanwhile, the President said he was willing to appoint some members of the dance group Mocha Girls after appointing its leader, Margaux “Mocha” Uson as Assistant Secretary under the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO). Uson’s appointment was signed by the President last May 8 and the announcement was made the following day.

“Not all but kung gusto nila magtrabaho. There’s nothing wrong working for government,” he said.

He added that the positions to be assigned to them will be based on their qualification.