Don’t believe ‘ACDC’ journalists: Duterte

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Kaamulan Park in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on April 13, 2019. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has urged the public not to believe in journalists he tagged as ‘ACDC’ or those who “attack and collect money, defend and collect money.”

In a speech in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on Saturday (April 13) night, Duterte lambasted media practitioners anew for producing false reports in exchange for payment.

“They accept [payment] from clients to [write] political attacks. ACDC [attack and collect money, defend and collect money]. You attack to get paid. So don’t believe that they are clean,” Duterte said during a PDP-Laban campaign rally.

Duterte claimed that these journalists would “attack” politicians but “protect” the rich.

“You protect the rich and hide their secrets, but attack us politicians who genuinely want reform. That’s the truth. You are just being paid,” he added.

Duterte also shrugged off corruption allegations against him reiterating that portion of his assets was inherited from his deceased parents.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) earlier released a report on the Duterte family’s unexplained wealth including an unregistered law firm.

He said the law firm used to be his “backup plan” in case he lost the elections.

“Having a law office was my backup plan in the past years in case I lose in the elections.

At least if I lose, I would have a sanctuary and a source of income which is my law office,” Duterte said.

Duterte, a motorcycle rider since he was Davao City Mayor, also explained the reason why he decided to sell motorcycles.

“But that’s the only issue that they attacked me with apart from selling motorcycles. If you are a motorcycle rider, you immediately become a businessman because if your motorcycle model grows old, you will want to replace it with a new one. If not, you trade it for a new model and just add money. But those transactions weren’t for profit,” he added.

Malacañang has insisted that the President has “properly declared” his wealth, stressing that not identifying where the source of the wealth came from does not violate the Constitution.