In a blistering privilege speech that shook the Iloilo City Council, Councilor Romel Duron declared that Philippine elections are won not by principles but by pesos.
Daring his colleagues to prove him wrong, Duron said he is ready to resign if anyone can show they ever won a seat without engaging in vote-buying.
“Good people don’t run anymore because they know they won’t win without money. Tell me, has anyone here ever won without giving cash? If so, I’ll resign immediately,” Duron thundered, adding that “the more money you have, the higher you climb in the standings.”
The councilor admitted he himself is not spotless, calling his brand of politics “less guilty” and even likening it to Robin Hood’s.
Duron didn’t stop there. He accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being the “most guilty” in government corruption, while dismissing congressional and Senate hearings on anomalous flood control projects as nothing but a political “moro-moro.”
With his scathing words, Duron placed both his integrity — and resignation — on the line, raising the stakes in the ongoing debate over corruption and vote-buying in Philippine politics.IMT
