President Rodrigo Duterte is “not a President the Filipino people can respect”, Senator Richard Gordon said Friday.
Gordon said this after receiving tirades from Duterte amid the Senate’s investigation on the alleged questionable purchases made by the Philippine government in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigation is being handled by Gordon’s committee, the Senate blue ribbon committee.
“Mahirap tangkilikin because you do not act like a president. Today, I tell you, you are not a President the Filipino people can respect,” Gordon said.
“Nobody talks to you in international conferences because nauna ‘yung reputation n’yo na mapagmura, mapusok, at talagang sinasabi nyo kill, kill, kill,” he added.
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Gordon also told Duterte that he may not even run in the 2022 elections.
To recall, Duterte earlier said he would campaign against Gordon in next year’s national polls.
“Wala akong ambisyon. Malamang hindi na ako tatakbo sa totoo lang. Ayoko na. Nakapagsilbi na po kami kaya wag niyo akong pagsabihan na ako mamomolitika dito,” Gordon said.
“Wala namang akong inaanunsyo. Kayo pa nagsabi, gusto ko mag-vice president. E sino ba ang tumatakbong vice president ngayon? Hindi ba kayo, Mr. President?” he added.
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During the Senate hearing, Gordon called Duterte a “cheap politician” for supposedly protecting individuals under question over the government purchases amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Whether you accept it or not, these are times when courage must come out with what is happening. It is so difficult to live during these times,” Gordon said.
“I hope that our countrymen will find it in their heart to see the truth. I’m not saying that we are right all the time. Panindigan natin ang ating pagsisilbi sa bayan at pagmamahal sa bayan,” he added. (NM)
