Duterte says he wasn't behind CHR's P1,000 budget, but slams 'pro-dilaw' Gascon

President Rodrigo Duterte denies having a hand in the P1,000 budget approved by Congress for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Duterte said CHR chairperson Chito Gascon was to blame for his agency's P1,000 budget for 2018.

He added that he couldn't care less about CHR's probes.

"Galit ang Congress sa kanya (CHR Chairman Chito Gascon). I'm not here to destroy institutions," said Duterte during a press conference at the Libingan ng mga Bayani after visiting the wake of two soldiers slain in Marawi City on Tuesday night until early Wednesday morning..

"He had it coming," he added.

He was referring to the P1,000 budget the House of Representatives approved for the CHR for next year.

The legislators voted 119 in the affirmative and 32 in the negative in approving the agency's budget of P678 million to P1,000.

"He opens his mouth in the most inappropriate way... Wala akong ano sa kanya. Bigyan kayo ng budget, for all I care kung ano ang gusto ninyong imbestigahan," he added, associating Gascon with the yellows, the color of the Liberal Party.

"Itong si Gascon, he conducts the business of CHR, walang alam," said Duterte.

Duterte said that Gascon was interfering in the affairs of the law enforcers.
"Itong gagong Gascon na ito, nakikialam doon during the incident," he said.

Nonetheless, he said he would take a look into House's decision on CHR's budget.

"Ako naman since it's really an organ of government, maybe someday we will review their decision. We're not here to destroy institutions," Duterte said. — BAP, GMA News