In a blunt statement delivered in Bisaya during an interview, Duterte said government officials have no business staying in power if they can’t offer solutions during times of crisis.
“Og ing-ana ang imong pagresponde nga mao na ng new normal… Sama sa usa ka trabahante sa katawhan noh. Dapat pirmi ang gobyerno is always ready na mutabang sa mga tao,” Duterte said.
“Dapat naa pud syay lakang na buhaton na walay mamatay, walay madaot na propiedad. Kung ana ang imong pangutok na kung naay kalamidad ang imong pasanginlan ang imong gikambyuhan, ayawg trabaho sa gobyerno. Ug wala kay mabuhat, resign,” he added.
The President drew criticism earlier this week when he said during a briefing on the recent massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces that “inundation is the new normal” and that Filipinos must “learn to adapt.”
Duterte, the eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said adaptation is not a substitute for action and preparedness.
“Public service is not about giving up and accepting failure as the new standard,” he said.
The House lawmaker also pointed out that flooding and disaster response should be part of a long-term national strategy — not left to ad hoc explanations and reactive measures.
As of Friday, parts of Metro Manila and Central Luzon remain inundated due to continuous rains, with thousands displaced and several areas under a state of calamity. Criticism continues to mount online, with netizens expressing frustration over perceived government inaction.