FACT CHECK: X user falsely claims PH did not need foreign donations under Duterte

CLAIM: During the Duterte administration, the Philippines did not need foreign donations during calamities

RATING: FALSE

An X user made the false claim that during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines did not need foreign donations after calamities struck.

X user Manuel Sevilla posted: “Why was it during PRRD administration, all victims of calamities were taken care (sic) of. Not needing donations from any country…” 

There were numerous occasions when countries sent aid to the Philippines after calamities struck.

After Typhoon “Ompong” ravaged the country in September 2018, various countries and international organizations sent aid to the Philippines as shown by a list compiled by Rappler.

In August 2021, Duterte thanked US president Joe Biden and the United States for its vaccine donation to the country.

In December 2021, Duterte told victims of Typhoon “Odette” that he was trying to look for funds for them. He admitted that government coffers had been “immensely depleted.”

“We are trying to raise the money, I was also late (because) I was talking with the budget, alam mo depleted ‘yong budget natin immensely because of the COVID, naubos talaga ‘yong pera natin,” Duterte was quoted as saying by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

One News also reported that relief aid was sent to Philippine communities ravaged by Typhoon Odette from the United States, Japan, China, the European Union, foreign agencies, local business communities and celebrities.  Rommel F. Lopez

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