Malacañang ignored the challenge of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for President Rodrigo Duterte to undergo an intelligence quotient test.
“Dapat hindi talaga pinapatulan iyang mga ganiyang sinasabi. So ako po wala naman po iyang additional na kontribusyon sa debate tungkol sa mga public issues,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a radio dwFM interview.
(His statements shouldn’t be given any attention. They don’t give additional contributions to the debate about public issues.)
Roque said Trillanes was just seeking attention.
“Hayaan na lang natin siya, siguro po nagpapapansin lang,” he said.
(Let him be, maybe he just wants attention.)
Trillanes on Monday challenged Duterte to an IQ test after the President belittled his intellect.
In a Palace briefing, Roque hit back at Trillanes, saying he should take a psychological test.
“Well, let’s start with the psych test then we can go to an IQ test. An IQ test is premature. Let’s begin with psych test. After all, Chief Justices, would-be Chief Justices are required to take that test,” he said.
Asked if Duterte was willing to undergo a psychological test, Roque quickly said, “No.”
“My reaction to your question is perhaps he should begin with the test on sanity before we even talk about IQ. No further comment,” he said.
He said “the President is not obliged to give in to any of demands of anyone.” /je