Filtered By: Topstories
News

Duterte on Gordon’s suggestion to stop talking: I will not stop


Senator Dick Gordon cannot dissuade President Rodrigo Duterte from talking.

In a speech delivered at the Third Sulong Pilipinas Convention at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City on Tuesday, Duterte defended his freedom to talk despite calls to keep his mouth shut to avoid blurting out controversial statements, especially his threats against criminals and drug suspects.

“Sabi naman ni Gordon doon sa kanila, stop making noise. No, I will not stop, I will lose the momentum. And I cannot afford it because I am the President. The momentum has to be there and it will be there for six years until the last pusher is taken out of the streets. I cannot just play silent,” the President stressed.

“Sabi nila, ‘That got you into trouble.’ Whose shit is it? Mine? This is my country. There is no law until now presidente na ako—‘Papatayin ko kayong lahat.’ There is no law at all that I cannot threaten criminals either as mayor or as president. If anyone disagrees, give me the provision,” Duterte then challenged his critics.

In his speech, the President then explained the gravity and depth of the drug problem. 

“And you say that my mouth is not for a statesman, whoever told you I was applying for a statesman?” Duterte said. 

‘Too noisy’

On Monday, Gordon said Duterte was “falling on his own sword” for being “too noisy” on publicly expressing his desire to have suspected drug users and pushers killed.

“Maingay ang Pangulo, sobrang ingay ng Pangulo. Tama lang na ipakita niya na galit siya sa droga pero huwag na siyang mag-ingay na ‘I will kill you,’ hindi tama ‘yan,” Gordon said as he presided over a Senate hearing on drug-related killings.

“Kaya he is falling on his own sword, nadadapa siya sa kanyang espada dahil salita siya nang salita, napagbibintangan tuloy ang bansa na ‘yan ang nangyayari,” he added.

Even House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas called on Duterte to refrain from making public pronouncements and advised him to just focus on his job.

“I would advise the President, huwag na ho kayo magsalita. Magtrabaho na lang kayo ... siguro (he should not speak) until such time he gets to adjust,“ said Farinas.

The House leader, however, said he understands the President if he cannot help but accommodate media interviews.  — RSJ, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT