CEZA chief hits Baste's 'calamity politics'

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Administrator and CEO Katrina Ponce Enrile on Monday called out Davao City Mayor Sebastian «Baste» Duterte for engaging in «calamity politics,» slamming him for donating his constituents' tax money even if his jurisdiction also faced severe flooding issues.

Enrile said Duterte's move to donate Davao City's tax collection to calamity-stricken cities and municipalities is «trapo politics» that was «out of touch» since the recipients are wealthier.

Duterte earlier gave a total of P14.5 million in financial assistance to areas hit by recent calamities — P1 million each to six Luzon provinces, P500,000 each to 11 cities in the Greater Manila Area, and P300,000 each to 10 municipalities in various provinces.

«Baste's decision to give financial assistance to select places is trapo calamity politics at its worst. The LGUs (local government units) which received the aid are wealthier. And these LGUs did not even ask for help,» Enrile said. «There's no problem with handing out help if your own constituents are not in need themselves.»

«If you want to earn pogi points by exporting aid to places richer than yours, first make sure that this is surplus money to be used after the needs of your own people have already been satisfied.»

Enrile reminded the youngest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte that «charity begins at home.»

«If you're going to run for senator, you can catch attention by attending rallies organized by the cult of (Apollo) Quiboloy, but don't use the funds of the city and prioritize the needs of your constituents which brought your family to power,» she said.

She said Duterte also should stop being a «drama queen» and instead focus on severe flooding issues in their own backyard, stressing that the mayor's family was in power for six years but had no impact on flood control.

«What mayor Baste did can be likened to a family that, despite not having anything to eat, its head chose to contribute to a friend's feast because he wanted to be the center of attention,» Enrile said.

«To the Dutertes, fix Davao first so that you'll have the right to 'emote' when you try to find fault in