By Jennylou Canon

PHOTO: PCOO

Malacañang on Monday clarified President Rodrigo Duterte's "sacks of cash" statement, saying he meant to raise money for PDP-Laban bets, not to use public funds for their campaign.

"It's an assurance to his partymates that not only will he physically campaign for them, he will also raise funds for them. And that's not prohibited by the Constitution or the Omnibus Election Code. Unfortunately, democracy can be very expensive," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated.



Roque also added that as Duterte knows it is illegal to use public funds for campaigns, he will raise funds instead.

During PDP-Laban's national assembly, Duterte vowed to his partymates that he will campaign for his party's election bets.

"Those running for elections, ikakampanya ko kayo, city for city, totoo 'yan... I commit to you. Talagang pupunta ako, city to city, province to province, kakampanya ko kayo," Duterte said.

The president later added that he will bring sacks of cash if possible.