Palace slams Durbin anew: Calling Duterte ‘autocratic’ shows ‘illiteracy’ in governance

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday slammed anew a US senator who has been banned from entering the Philippines for calling President Rodrigo Duterte “autocratic,” saying it shows the American politician’s “illiteracy” in governance.

Senator Dick Durbin earlier called Duterte “autocratic” as he urged his administration anew to release detained Senator Leila de Lima.

“Calling the President of the Republic of the Philippines autocratic, by reason of a Philippine senator’s detention, which was pursuant to — and in obedience of — Philippine substantive and procedural law, is offensive and a shameful display of illiteracy in the science of governance,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“We are a democratic government and the President has been duly elected by an overwhelming majority. He continues to have an unprecedented approval rating of 87% and a trust rating of 83% of the Filipino people. Autocracy has no place in this Republic,” he added.

Panelo reiterated Durbin’s demand to release De Lima is a “brazen interference and an assault to our sovereignty as it interferes with our judicial process.”

“In addition, his remarks not only violate the principle of subjudice but it also assails the ongoing proceedings thereby trampling upon the rights of the People of the Philippines,” Panelo said.

“This will be the last time that the Office of the President will address any other intrusive and incorrigible nonsense from Senator Durbin,” he added.

Durbin alongside U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and Edward Markey were recently ordered banned from traveling to the Philippines following their appeals for the release of De Lima.

READ: Duterte bans another US Senator

The U.S. lawmakers earlier sought to deny U.S entry to Philippine officials proven responsible for De Lima’s “wrongful imprisonment.”