MANILA, Philippines—Senator Leila de Lima was not one to sugarcoat her words in her criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a dispatch from Camp Crame, the detained senator said Duterte should just get out of the way after the president let out an emotional meltdown and spewed lies about Vice President Leni Robredo’s relief efforts following the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Rolly that battered Luzon in a span of a fortnight.
“Samantalang busy si VP Leni sa pag-aasikaso sa ating mga kababayan, busy naman itong matanda na mambastos,” wrote de Lima Wednesday. “Kung yang tapang-tapangan ni G. Duterte ay ginagamit niya sa paglilingkod sa ating bayan at hindi sa pamumulitika, di sana hindi na niya kailangan ma-insecure sa mga kagaya ni VP Leni na masipag, epektibo, at may silbi.”
(While VP Leni is busy attending to the needs of our countrymen, this old man is busy being rude to her. If Mr. Duterte’s false show of strength was used to help the country and not on politicking, then he won’t be insecure of VP Leni and the other individuals who’ve been helping people efficiently with their efforts.)
Duterte had a taped speech broadcast nationwide on Tuesday evening where he accused Robredo of demanding to know his whereabouts and of ordering the military and police to be involved in the relief efforts.
The President also threatened Robredo should she run for the presidency in 2022.
Robredo, meanwhile, belied Duterte’s claims saying she merely coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police during the relief efforts and that she never demanded to know his whereabouts during the onslaught of the two severe weather disturbances.
De Lima added that Duterte is “inutil” (useless) and “sinungaling” (liar) with those two characteristics being “his foremost attributes.”
“Duterte’s sickening misogyny is beyond reputation,” said de Lima.
“Mr. Duterte’s latest meltdown does not deserve any retort or serious attention. VP Leni has better things to do than to compete with executive deadweight. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Duterte should get out of the way. #LetVPLeniLead.”