Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 9) — President Rodrigo Duterte talked tough on property owners who reportedly demand rent payments during this state of emergency.
“Maghintay kayo lessors, nagpaparenta, huwag ninyong madaliin … Huwag mong pahirapan ang mga tao,” Duterte said, obviously addressing landlords, in televised briefing with other top government officials early Thursday.
[Translation: Learn to wait, lessors. Don’t rush them into paying. Don’t give them a hard time.]
“Kung hindi mo naman pala gustong tumulong ng kapwa tao mo, sunugin na lang natin ‘yang mga apartments mo. Tutal may bumbero. Tawagin mo. Eh huwag ganun. Huwag ninyong i-pressure,” he added.
[Translation: If you do not want to help others, let’s just burn your apartments. Anyway, there are firefighters from whom you could ask for help. Don’t pressure them.]
“Ako, nagwa-warning lang ako. Eh pilitin ninyo hindi makabayad ang pamilya tapos itapon ninyo, sarahan ninyo ‘yung bahay.”
[Translation: Me, I am just warning you. You are evicting families who cannot settle, locking them out of the house.]
He then appealed to the lessors to postpone collecting fees, claiming that tenants are running low on funds.
On April 4, the Department of Trade and Industry issued a memorandum granting a 30-day grace period on residential and commercial rents whose due dates fall within the duration of the Luzon-wide quarantine without incurring interests, penalties, and other charges.
This is in line with the law giving Duterte additional powers to handle the current health crisis as he sees fit.
Under Section 4 of the law, refraining from giving reprieve on rental deadlines is punishable with imprisonment of two months and fine of P10,000 to P1 million.
The chief’s warning stemmed from reports that many tenants are “being pressured to pay.”
