/ AFP/ Jim Watson/
(Eagle News) — Among those fired by President Rodrigo Duterte from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor is a cousin of his partner, Honeylet Avancena.
“Pati siya tinanggal ko. I told my wife, ‘You call your cousin… Alis na sila,’” Duterte was quoted as saying in a report.
He was apparently referring to Melissa Avancena Aradanas, who has been working for the PCUP since 1996.
She was appointed as commissioner in 2016.
President Duterte on Tuesday said he fired commissioners of the PCUP, including its chair Terry Ridon, for two reasons.
One was because of their alleged penchant to go on trips abroad.
He said the left-leaning RIdon, in particular, has traveled seven times outside of the country since his appointment in September.
Ridon in his defense said the trips were all covered by travel authorities from the Office of the President.
Duterte added the PCUP had “just 1 or 2 meetings” despite it being a collegial body.
