Duterte apologizes to CJ Sereno: 'Harsh words were never intended'

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday apologized to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, a couple of days after pronouncements against the judiciary stemming from his naming of judges allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

"I get tangled with the Chief Justice. I would apologize to the Chief Justice for the harsh words. It was never intended. Ba't ako kasi because of the magnitude of the problem," Duterte said.

"It was my way of solving the problem within the ambit of my powers as president. Kayo ang humihingi eh, even the media," he added.

Sereno had written Duterte a letter after the chief executive linked seven judges to illegal narcotics.

In the letter, Sereno told Duterte that she had advised judges against making themselves "physically accountable" if there were no warrants issued for their arrest.

Duterte responded with fighting words, warning against a constitutional crisis and even bringing up the possibility of declaring martial law.

Sereno, for her part, refused to respond to Duterte's tirade.

On Thursday, Duterte reiterated that it was merely his duty to inform the public about the dangers that they face with the proliferation of drugs. He said that as president, he did not have to "go through the motions of the warrant of arrest."

"Trabaho ko kasi 'yan," he said. "Para malaman mo na 'yung katabi mo, adik." —JST/NB, GMA News