Gordon thanks Duterte’s concern for his health ‘as I am about his’ 

MANILA , Philippines —Saying he was not offended by the insults, Senator Richard Gordon even thanked the President for being concerned about his health “as I am about his.”

“I take no offense at the President’s comments. As I have said, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and we cannot be onion-skinned about such things,” Gordon said in a statement Friday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a speech Thursday night, peppered the senator with insults after the latter criticized him for appointing former police and military officers in his government.

“Yung utak mo Dick natutunaw, napupunta diyan sa tiyan mo. You are a fart away from disaster. Intindihin mo muna ‘yung tiyan mo bago ka makialam sa trabaho ko,” the President said.

He added that Gordon also walked like a penguin.

READ: Duterte says Gordon ‘a fart away from disaster’

Apparently responding to the name-calling,  Gordon said: “I am happy that President is concerned about my waistline, but he need not worry about that.”

“My wife has seen to it that I have reduced it significantly of late. But I appreciate that he is concerned about my health as I am about his,” he added.

The senator though explained that his earlier statements against appointing retired police and military  men were made in good faith and out of concern for the country and the President, whom he said he considers a friend.

“We have known each other since we were both mayors and believe that we have mutual respect,” he said.

“I also have great respect for the military and the armed forces because they are the protector of the people and the State. However, at the same time, we want to assure the public that we are not militarizing the government.”

Gordon even pointed out how he has always supported a “strong military, with a credible air force, navy, and coast guard”  and he promised to continue doing it in the Senate.  /muf