Escudero won't file raps vs. ex-Pres. Duterte over ‘kill senators’ remark

Senate President Francis Escudero said Wednesday he does not see the need to file charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte following the controversial “kill” remark against incumbent senators. 

“Para sa akin, I don’t feel alluded to. Parang hindi ko naman naramdaman na isa ako sa 15. Hindi ko alam kung sino, pero parang hindi naman ako kasama doon,” said Escudero in a press briefing. 

(For me, I don’t feel alluded to. I did not feel I was one of the 15 people he was referring to. I actually don’t know who they are, but I don’t think I’m one of them.) 

The Senate leader said that such statement from the former chief executive does not merit a complaint. 

“Pangalawa, nakakalungkot man 'yung mga ganyang pahayag, namamanhid man tayo sa mga ganyang pahayag, parang okay na rin dahil nasanay tayo ng anim na taon na ganun. Sana kung may sagot man doon, kung may bwelta man doon, kung may sukli man ‘yun, siguro sa balota na lang natin tignan sa pamamagitan ng ating mga kababayan, at 'wag na sa pamamagitan ng demanda, personally sa parte ko,” he said. 

(Secondly, while such statements are disappointing, we have been used to them for six years. If there should be a response to those remarks, let’s just see how our countrymen will vote in their ballots and I personally believe that there’s no need to file charges.) 

“But I cannot speak for the other senators neither am I speaking for the Senate because we have not talked about this matter. But I don’t think any of the senators felt threatened by that remark,” Escudero added.

Duterte made the controversial remark during the PDP Laban proclamation rally, where he, along with his children, Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, formally endorsed nine senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections. 

"Patayin natin ‘yung mga senador ngayon para mabakante. Kung makapatay tayo ng mga 15  na senador, pasok na tayong lahat... Talking of opportunities, the only way to do it is pasabugin na lang natin,” said the former president. 

(Let’s kill the senators now to vacate the seats. If we can eliminate 15 senators, we can all get in... Talking of opportunities, the only way to do it is to just blow them up.)

But some lawmakers such as Senators Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa and Bong Go, allies of the former president, defended the statement, saying it was only a joke.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., a member of the Alyansa senatorial slate, just dismissed Duterte's remark.

"Sa tingin ko ay bulaklak lang ng bibig ni FPRRD yan. That's just how he expresses himself. Pero hindi naman tayo natatakot sa ganyan dahil may agimat tayo," he said in jest.

(In my opinion, that's just FPRRD's way of speaking. That’s how he expresses himself. But we’re not afraid of such things—we have an amulet.)

For Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Duterte's statement was simply a joke.

"Mapagbiro lang talaga si PRRD. None issue for me (PRRD is just naturally playful with his words. It’s a non-issue for me)," said the senator.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, on the other hand, reacted with disbelief.

"Ano raw?!" she said.

Hontiveros added, "Hirap na hirap na nga sa buhay [ang mga tao] tapos ang sagot ng isa diyan ay dagdag na karahasan?! Talagang ewan ko lang sa kanya."

(People are already struggling with the high cost of living, and yet someone's response is more violence? I honestly don’t know what to say.)

Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III earlier filed with the Department of Justice a complaint against Duterte for his remark. 

Torre said the complaint he filed for case build-up was for unlawful utterances and inciting to sedition.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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