Duterte to public: Avoid people who are attention seekers like Trillanes

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — “Stay clear” of politicians engaged in grandstanding like former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

President Rodrigo Duterte said this Thursday as he again lambasted Trillanes, one of his fiercest critics, for supposedly doing nothing for the country and for being ambitious.

“Si Trillanes sige daldal hanggang ngayon. Alam mo kayo ang nasa…mga pulitiko basta pulitika lang,” Duterte said during the joint graduation ceremonies of the Philippine National Police’s public safety courses in Davao City.

(Trillanes is still talking until now. You know these politicians know nothing but to engage in politics.)

“You know you should avoid people like that…mga grandstanding. Wala naman nagawa, di naman bemedaled. Hindi naman nagpunta ng giyera ang gago, nasa opisina tapos mag ambisyon. ‘Yung mga ganun iwasan niyo. I’m just advising you to stay clear [of people like that]. Sisirain tayo,” he added.

(You know you should avoid people like that…people engaged in grandstanding. He didn’t do anything, he’s not bemedaled. That stupid didn’t even go to war, he just stayed in office and dream. Stay away from people like that. I’m just advising you to stay clear [of people like that]. They will destroy us.)

Duterte launched the fresh tirades against the former lawmaker days after Trillanes posted bail on charges of conspiracy to commit sedition in connection with the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that accused members of the President’s family and his allies of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Traillanes is facing a string of lawsuits filed by the government, including the revival of his rebellion case before a Makati court due to the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

He is also facing an inciting to sedition case before Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 45 for his remarks on Duterte’s supposed hidden wealth, and a libel case filed by the President’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and the President’s son-in-law, Manases Carpio, before a court in the President’s hometown Davao City.

Edited by JPV