© Presidential Communciations
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would do his best to humble Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, accusing the latter of grandstanding.
“Senator Gordon…Ikaw, siguraduhin kita that I will reduce you to your original size. E masyado ka nang lumaki. Lumaki na ang ulo mo. So it’s about time na you know—isauli kita sa dati mong pagkatao,” Duterte said in a “Talk to the People” address that aired on Monday night.
Duterte has been critical of Gordon, the head of the Senate blue ribbon committee, since the latter started investigating the government’s deals with pharmaceutical company Pharmally.
The investigation has unearthed government overspending for the procurement of medical supplies and personal protective equipment amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Duterte claimed Gordon’s intentions in leading the Senate probe were malicious.
“Ito talaga ang gusto mo, Dick, mangyari—sirain ang pangalan ko at ang aking administrasyon at guluhin ang Covid response ng gobyerno dahil malapit na ang [eleksyon],” Duterte said.
“Ewan ko kung anong gusto mong takbuhan.
Gusto ko nga mag-one-on-one sana tayo kung may position lang, maski barangay captain na lang sa inyo,” Duterte added.
Duterte recently announced that he would run for the vice presidency in the 2022 national elections.
In response, Gordon said he was not afraid of Duterte’s “bullying.”
“Saktan niyo na ako. Akala niyo ba matatakot ninyo ako?…You’re a bully. And I’m sorry, Mr. President, but the Filipino people can fight back against bullies. Filipinos can have a revolution against bullies,” Gordon said on Tuesday.
“I ask him respectfully: start lawyering for the Filipino people. Do your job, Mr. President. Why do you spend your time lambasting us?” Gordon added. John Ezekiel J. Hirro