* Finds France Castro posturing ironic given her ties with CPP/NPADAVAO CITY—Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte clarified during the 11th House Quad Committee Hearing that the so-called “reward system” is used for the Philippine National Police’s anti-illegal drug operations.
He also emphasized that he never gave out rewards for killing drug suspects, contrary to the statement of retired police colonel Royina Garma, a former officer in Davao City and Cebu City.
Garma said that the reward system is patterned after the “Davao Model,” which included the mythical Davao Death Squad.
Under questioning from Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, Duterte openly admitted that monetary assistance were provided to law enforcement personnel in drug war and other anti-crime operations .
“That’s correct. That’s [definitely] true. I sometimes add more,” he said, adding that, police officers are limited to their salaries, including equipment and office materials.
“If you expect police to have their funds for an operation to follow up criminal cases day-to-day, they don’t, sir. You need to provide funds for the police especially if there is a serious crime,” Duterte added.
He also cited that even the mayors and governors provided a reward system for operations that were not funded by the police due to the unavailability or lack of funds.
“For example, if they have operations outside Davao City, I will ask them if they have an allowance for food and gasoline. I will provide it to them and if they tell me that there are still [money] left, I give it to them,” Duterte explained.
Meanwhile, during the hearing, Duterte and Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro got into a heated argument when the lady lawmaker insisted that the “line of thinking” of the former president was wrong, especially in the conduct of anti-illegal drug war.
“I’m not here to satisfy you. If you do not like my ideology, fine, that’s mine,” Duterte told Castro a Makabayan Partylist representative who had been convicted by Tagum Regional Trial for child abuse but is out on bail.
He insisted that he was “thinking right” when imposing his policy to fight back against a person who is involved in illegal drugs and resisted arrest and fight with the authorities.
“I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by the law enforcement agencies of this country to stop the drugs or the serious problem of the drugs affecting our people,” he added.
The battle of words between Duterte and Castro went viral in social media.
An interesting reaction came from a post by Arian Jane Ramos alias Marikit, the former secretary of the New People Army Guerrilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC)-Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC), and former chairperson of Gabriela Youth – University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao who reacted to Castro’s statement.
“Hindi po solusyon ang pagpatay, kung mga walang hanap buhay, bigyan ng hanapbuhay, is strikingly ironic when viewed against her ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA. For someone linked to a group known for endorsing armed struggle, preaching about nonviolence and livelihoods feels like a disconnect from reality,” she said in a public post.
Ramos cited that 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑.𝐀. 𝐍𝐨. 7610 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 shows a troubling disregard for the welfare of the most vulnerable.
In July, the Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 convicted Castro along with former party-list congressman Satur Ocampo of child abuse, a case involving 14 minors in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
“Public office is a position of trust and responsibility, a place to serve and protect—not to exploit. Our laws, particularly R.A. No. 6713, demand that public officials lead with integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to the people they serve,” Ramos said, adding that the House of Representatives (HoR) Code of Conduct reinforces this, insisting that its Members act in ways that reflect creditably on the institution.
“Castro’s actions—inflicting harm on marginalized communities while championing noble ideals—represent a betrayal of these principles. Moral turpitude isn’t just a phrase; it points to inherently wrong behavior, a disregard for justice, honesty, and decency,” Ramos added.
Ramos along with other cadres who return to the folds of the law called on the HoR to take a strong stand for accountability.
“When officials undermine the public’s trust, the House has not only the authority but the responsibility to impose penalties, including suspension or expulsion. This is a call to action for the House to demonstrate that ethics matter, that public trust is sacred, and that justice is non-negotiable,” she said, adding that, the people deserve leaders who are accountable, sincere, and aligned with the principles they promote.
