CEBU CITY -- In an off the script but often comical speech where he cracked his usual jokes—and was applauded—reiterated his disdain for corruption and drugs, cleared a controversial former customs official of involvement in smuggling and where he only read snippets of a two-page speech, it was, as usual the “adlib” of President Rodrigo Duterte's that surprised and drew the most cheers.
After declaring the Philippine National Games open and shushing an applause to tell the crowd that he wasn't finished yet, President Duterte, who was late by about 45 minutes, surprised everyone by announcing that he was going to double the cash prizes for the Philippine National Games.
After pointing out that PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, whom he said was from Davao City, listed P5 million as the cash prize for the top team in the annual meet, President Duterte said he was going to double it.
“From P5 million, I will add another P5 million so it will be P10 million. For the second runnerup, from P4 million, I will add another P4 million so it will be P8 million,” President Duterte said.
The president went and announce that he will add another P3 million that the third placer will receive, another P2 million for the fourth placer and another P1 million for the fifth placer, doubling the cash prizes for the top five teams in the PNG.(RSC)