IN his last public address on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte gave clear and specific statements that the billions of funds allocated for Covid-related programs and activities would all be accounted for up to the last peso.

“Gusto kong ipaalam sa lahat that, as upon my oath of office, huwag kayong mag-alala; lahat ng pera diyan, nagastos dito sa away ng Covid ay maa-account,” Duterte said in his weekly “Talk to the People” public address aired on August 25.