By Beatrice Puente
(August 31, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte warned lawmakers he would order his executive officials to refrain from attending legislative hearings after senators started digging into the questionable procurement of COVID-19 supplies from a company with links to his allies.
Duterte resorted to personal attacks against lawmakers in what could be another blatant affront undermining the independence of the legislative branch.
“Kapag ganyan ang bisyo ninyo, I will not allow any member of the Cabinet to go to Congress to testify kung ganun ang treatment,” said Duterte in his public address aired on Tuesday morning.
Duterte blasted Sen. Richard Gordon for heading the seven-hour Senate hearing on the P8.7-billion contract awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which is linked to his former economic aide Michael Yang, to provide personal protection equipment, face masks, face shields, and test kits.
Shielding Yang, Duterte said the country should be more welcoming to investors to help the economy prosper. Yang, a Davao-based Chinese businessman, left Duterte’s Cabinet in 2019 after his alleged links to the drug trade surfaced.
Duterte also defended former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao from criticisms, insisting that the length of the Senate hearing was unreasonable. In addition, Duterte said lawmakers have no right to question his appointees.
“You do not have the ascendancy to question this executive prerogative. I will appoint people I know and trust just like other presidents before me. Anong masama kung magbayad ako ng utang? Bakit kayo, ‘di kayo nagtulong sa mga taong nagkautang na loob sa inyo?” said an angered Duterte.
Gordon has said lawmakers have every right to question Duterte’s officials, citing the oversight function of Congress. He also questioned why Duterte was fuming about their investigation when the tough-talking leader himself had vowed to eradicate government corruption.
“Mahina ang ulo ng mga in-appoint niya kung nalilito—either mahina ang ulo o talagang ginawa ang kalokohan,” said Gordon, advising Duterte to stop insulting the Senate. “Ibig sabihin may tinatago talaga. Ganun ba ‘yun, Mr. President? Ipasagot niyo sa mga bata niyo ‘yung issue.”
“EITHER MAHINA ANG ULO OR TALAGANG GINAWA ANG KALOKOHAN”
Ito ang naging sagot ni Sen. Richard Gordon sa pahayag ni…
Posted by News5 on Monday, August 30, 2021
All of these sprouted from the Commission on Audit (COA) report on the possible mismanagement of the Department of Health of its COVID-19 pandemic funds, flagging deficiencies worth P67.3 billion, including the dubious deal with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.
Duterte challenged lawmakers to imprison anyone who would be found guilty of committing corruption.
“Todohin ninyo ang imbestigasyon at kung may dapat ikulong, ikulong ninyo. Hinahamon ko na kayo. ‘Pag wala kayong makulong dito, wala kayo,” said Duterte. “Itong procurement, itong sa first part ‘yung sa unutilized, unspent, napahiya kayo. Tingnan ninyo, people, bisyo ng mga senador at tingnan niyo salita nila.”
(PM)
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