Filipino Prez-elect to replace ministers’ luxury cars with Toyota Avanzas

16 June 2016 05:49 pm - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As part of his austere style of governance, incoming Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte plans to replace luxury sedans with cheaper cars for cabinet members.

According to the INQUIRER, Duterte identified the Toyota Avanza MPV as the official vehicle that will transport most senior members of his administration.

Speaking at a forum with media members on Tuesday, designated House Speaker, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, said Duterte wants the Avanza, as it was the cheapest.

Alvarez, a long time friend of Duterte, drew laughter from the editors and journalists present when he said: “When someone asked me what I will do, I said I will invoke separation of powers.”

Alvarez said he would use a pickup truck when Duterte takes office, adding he was accustomed to driving around in such vehicles.

After proclaiming his landslide victory in the May 9 elections, Duterte told a meeting of his Cabinet members that he was gearing up for a frugal administration. The austere move included the relinquishment of some perks, including business class flights, the use of public funds for junkets, and expensive cars.

Duterte, who is expected to be sworn in as president on June 30, has also vowed to make these new “ground rules” effective on the day he takes office.

Less than a week after his election victory, the Davao city mayor announced plans to sell off the presidential yacht and wanted all aircraft assigned to the Presidential Airlift Wing to be converted to “air ambulances”.

The aircraft to be converted into the ambulances include the Fokker F-28, Fokker F-27 Friendships, S-70 Blackhawks, S-76s, SA-330 Pumas, and Bell 412s used to ferry the president, dignitaries, and VIPs.

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Comments - 27

Sincere Thursday, 16 June 2016 08:05 PM

But we need 217 millions worth Discovery!

Montes Monday, 20 June 2016 05:50 PM

Reading all your comments make me smile. Like your beloved country, my country also has a lot of issue when it comes to corruption, poverty

banda Friday, 17 June 2016 05:57 PM

He warrants impeached even before sworn in.

Ajith Friday, 17 June 2016 04:35 PM

Correct question from the wrong person or the family.

thara Friday, 17 June 2016 02:29 PM

Heh! and here i am driving around in a VIOS with two slipped disks lol

nihal Friday, 17 June 2016 01:04 PM

it is pity that we will never be able to produce such visionary leaders here in Sri Lanka, as mot of the voters are ignorant

Premalal Friday, 17 June 2016 12:43 PM

We can't be compared with a poor country like the Philippines when we have such high growing loan industry.

Perumal Friday, 17 June 2016 11:45 AM

But no one talks about Vijithamuni's aching bones and pulses.

Daham Friday, 17 June 2016 11:41 AM

Philippine is a small country and the ministers there do not work as hard as our ones. As such, Our ministers need super luxury 4 wheel drive vehicles for them to attend funerals , weddings,etc in a bigger country.

Vijitha Lankapura Friday, 17 June 2016 11:02 AM

Our Sri Lankan "Yahapalanaya" regime also got elected with the same promises, but today we can see the reality. Very pathetic.

TJ Friday, 17 June 2016 11:01 AM

We have a president who has the genuine intention to introduce simplicity in public life. Being surrounded by greedy hawks, he is too weak to bring sanity into politics.

RadRav Friday, 17 June 2016 10:32 AM

They don't deserve to ride in bullock carts, they should pull them instead!

wije Friday, 17 June 2016 03:23 AM

Ban import of all cars above 1500cc to srilanka

Citizen Silva Friday, 17 June 2016 02:13 AM

Philippines has higher mountainous roads than Sri Lanka.

Missaka Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:00 PM

Excellent news for Sri Lankans. Now all citizens must insist our MP and Ministers to do the same.

Davis Fernando Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:48 PM

The power of the people are so strong that if many people protested and demanded that the cabinet ministers use our tax paying rupees to a more suitable vehicle such as the avanza, then the government would have to forgo there luxury vehicles, but this is Sri Lanka, there is no power of the people. It would have rather been better having Mahinda president as he would have given it to them anyway, we are a 3rd class country and our ministers and deputy ministers demanding 30 million vehicles even the US, or UK which don't provide for.

v laksiri Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:33 PM

why can't sri lanka do the same. isn't Philippines much bigger than Sr Lanka

gobbaya Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:31 PM

meanwhile in the glorious republic of banana lankathe people crowd fund a PET scanner for 200 million rupees while the politicians allocate themselves 1 billion rupees for luxury new vehicles....miracle of asia indeed.... via DM Android App

CitizenPerera Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:17 PM

Our politician's deserve bullock carts and to make them luxury, give them a three wheeler to suit our Tuk Tuk democracy.

banji Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:05 PM

it will never happen... our ministers needs more than three back up vehicles.. it will be joke.. President should do it.. its a banana Republic via DM iOS App

ANTON Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:50 PM

PILIPEENAY EHEMA UNATH........ LANKAAWAY EHEMA WENNEY NAA ... APEY GODEY BAYYO CARRRRDAKALA NAA..........

Ananda M Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:45 PM

Gentlemen! Food for thought!!

CRX Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:31 PM

Now that's the sort of palanaya we need!

Henry Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:21 PM

Toyota Avanza MPV for Philippines Cabinet Ministers, Indian made Ambassador cars for Indian PM and Cabinet Ministers. Much rich Sri Lanka - kiyandath lajjai meyala!

Liswom Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:19 PM

But this type of vehicle wont suit our hardworking ministers who have to visit their electorates located in countryside frequently. They get slipped disk and spinal dislocation. Poor thing. Lets stick with 30 million SUP 4 wheel drives. via DM Android App

saman Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:11 PM

This must happen here.

Laljee/Qatar Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:11 PM

Bet my Life ! It will never happen in SL.

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Filipino Prez-elect to replace ministers’ luxury cars with Toyota Avanzas

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