Duterte to Gordon: You won’t always be senator, bantay ka

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday accused Senator Richard Gordon of "abusing" people during the Senate inquiry into government contracts for allegedly overpriced COVID-19 supplies, and warned him to watch himself, saying he won't be a senator forever. 

During his weekly Talk to the People briefing, Duterte again aired his frustration at the senators taking part in the inquiry into the government's COVID-19 supplies procurement.

He also told senators that they forgot their "purpose" in their jobs and claimed that they were shouting at the resource persons.

"Itong mga aid of legislation, lawmaking power ninyo, it does not include berating at people, shouting at people, forgetting the civility that has to be observed by everybody in and out of investigation," he said.

Then he issued a warning to Gordon, who is leading the Senate probe, saying that there will be a day of reckoning for the legislator.

"You know Gordon, ayaw ko lang magyabang pero remember you will not be a senator all the time. Hindi naman tinatakot pero bantay ka sa mga tao na pinag-aabuso mo dahil darating din ang panahon para sa iyo," said Duterte.

[I'm not trying to frighten you but be careful of the people you are abusing because your time will come.]

Duterte also defended his order prohibiting his Cabinet officials from attending the Senate inquiry, saying he is only protecting his officials from "insults coming from senators."

"Eventually, I think this will reach the Supreme Court. I am not saying that I am all correct. I may be wrong but I have to protect the Executive department from the incessant steady dose of insults coming from senators," said Duterte.

Gordon called the Chief Executive's move unconstitutional.

Insult vs. Pangilinan

Prior to his tirades against Gordon, Duterte also criticized Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan for supposedly threatening government officials.

"Ayoko naman api-apihin ang mga tao ko... the last time I am told that it was Pangilinan who said the worst is yet to come to mga empleyado ko," said Duterte.

"Alam mo Pangilinan, nandyan ka lang, bakit mo takutin ang mga tao ko? Who are you to threaten or even intimidate government workers?" he added.

[I don't want my people to be oppressed...Pangilinan, why are you trying to scare my people?]

The Philippine leader said all government officials are equal and are all serving the public.

"Pareho lang tayo nasa gobyerno, nagtatrabaho tayo ng para sa isang amo— ang taumbayan at ang guide natin sa trabaho natin ay yung mga batas, ang pinakamataas talagang susunod tayo o hindi ay ang Constitution," he said, still directing his message to Pangilinan.

[We are all in the government, we are all working for one employer, the Filipino people, and our guide in our work is the law, the highest being the Constitution.]

Threatens senators with jail

Duterte also repeated his declaration that he will command the military and the police to ignore senators' orders.

"I am giving this warning to the Senate, ayaw ko ng gulo. We recognize your power to cite people to help you in aid of legislation. Baka iyong in aid maging first aid 'yan," said Duterte.

[I don't want trouble...but maybe your 'aid' will turn into first aid.]

"Wina-warningan ko kayo, walang susunod sa inyo. Walang isang pulis or Air Force, Navy or Army. Walang ni-isa, walang susunod sa'yo because sinasabi ko sa kanila, 'wag mag cooperate especially if it is to further give you the power to insult everybody. Pinagsisigawan ninyo, ang yabang ninyo," he further said.

[I am warning you, nobody will follow you. Not one police officer or memner of the Air Force, Navy or Army. Not one will follow you because I am telling them not to cooperate, especially if it is to further give you the power to insult everybody. You yell at them; you're arrogant.]

He further threatened to have the senators jailed if they cite his Cabinet officials in contempt.

"At kapag kayo [Cabinet officials] sinigawan at pinag-iinsulto, stand up at ito ang sabihin ninyo: 'I am here to testify to the truth. Now, huwag ninyo akong sigaw-sigawan, 'di niyo naman ako boy, di naman ninyo ako subordinate...' Ngayon kung i-cite kayo in contempt kapag nalaman ko, ang ikulong ko e yung senador," he added.

[And when you are yelled at and insulted, stand up and this is what you say: 'I am here to testify to the truth. Now, don't yell at me. I'm not a boy, I'm not your subordinate.' Now if they cite you in contempt, when I find out I will have the senators jailed.]

'Sapakin ko ulo mo'

In the second part of the briefing that aired Wednesday, Duterte again referred to his claim that Gordon needs to repay P140 million that the Commission of Audit had issued a notice of disallowance for when Gordon was head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

"Bayaran mo. Tapos na ako sa iyo pag bayaran mo. Kung hindi, hahabulin kita. Retired naman ako, matatalo ka man, hahabulin kita. Pag inabot kita, sapakin ko 'yung ulo mo," Duterte said.

[Pay it. I'll be done with you when you pay it. If not, I will come after you. I'm retired, you'll lose, and I'll go after you. And when I reach you, I'll hit you in the head.]

Duterte then instructed the public to heckle Gordon with: "Bayaran mo!"  — BM, GMA News