De Lima: Duterte a coward, ‘nasobrahan sa fentanyl’

Senator Leila De Lima on Saturday called President Rodrigo Duterte a coward for not facing the accusations leveled against him, particularly the controversy surrounding his bank accounts.

In a letter read during a protest called "Pirma Hindi Porma" at the University of the Philippines, De Lima said the President might be tough-talking toward his critics, but becomes silent when it comes to his own controversies.

"Habang tumatagal kasi, lalong lumilinaw: Kung gaano kadaldal si Duterte sa pagbibintang, pagbabanta at pananakot sa kanyang mga kritiko, ganun naman siya katahimik sa pagsagot sa mga akusasyon laban sa kanya ng katiwalian," De Lima said.

"Yung akala mo eh matapang na Pangulo, duwag naman pala. Kung may 'tabang-hangin,' itong si Duterte naman ay 'tapang-hangin'," she added.

Her statement was read by Karina Constantino David, former chairperson of the Civil Service Commission of the Philippines under the Arroyo administration.

"Duwag. D-U-W-A-G = Digong. Duwag na pirmahan ang waiver para maisapubliko ang kanyang bank accounts, at malaman ang totoo," De Lima said.

GMA News Online is still trying to reach Malacañang for its comment on the senator's pronouncements.

Protesters, led by cause-oriented group Tindig Pilipinas, on Saturday trooped to UP to call for Duterte to sign the waiver on the secrecy of his bank deposits.

De Lima said that this call has long reached Malacañang, but officials continue to ignore it.

"Pirma hindi Porma. Eksaktong-eksakto po itong panawagan na ito—panawagan na nakarating na sa Malacañang pero patuloy na hindi pinakikinggan. Akala po nila siguro, kapag pinatagal nila ito nang pinatagal, mapapagod tayo sa panawagan, at baka makalimutan na rin ito ng publiko," she said.

She accused Duterte of using his position and his allies in the government to corner those who challenge his policies, and that instead of facing allegations against him, he makes up stories to distract Filipinos from the issue.

"Duwag na tanggapin na palpak ang kanyang War on Drugs na  pumatay na ng mahigit 13,000 na mahihirap na Pilipino, at dinamay pa ang mga inosenteng bata. Duwag na harapin ang kanyang mga kritiko, kaya umaasa sa pambabastos at pag-iimbento ng kuwento para malihis ang atensyon ng mga Pilipino," she said.

De Lima criticized the President for going after leaders of independent institutions like the Supreme Court, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Commission on Human Rights.

"Hindi pa nakuntento itong si Duterte at iniisa-isa na rin niya ang kasamahan ko sa Senado na tumututol sa baluktot niyang pamamahala. Anong gusto niya, lahat na lang, maging sunud-sunuran sa kanya? Wag kami, Duterte," De Lima said.

"Nasosobrahan na yata sa paglanghap ng Fentanyl itong si Duterte," she added.

Duterte has admitted to taking Fentanyl, which is used to treat patients with chronic pain or manage pain after surgery.

De Lima told the President that if he had nothing to hide, then he should sign the waiver.

"Kaya Ginoong Duterte: Wag kang magkubli sa kasinungalingan mo. Kung talagang wala kang itinatago sa Pilipino: Pirma hindi Porma," she said. — MDM, GMA News