MANILA, Philippines — We are not “enablers” of President Rodrigo Duterte, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday.
“No. No,” Sotto said over ABS-CBN News Channel’s interview when asked point-blank if they were Duterte enablers.
“We’re not pro-administration, we’re not pro-opposition, we’re pro-Filipino. That’s first and foremost.
“Now, it doesn’t mean that because I’m friendly with the President or that we usually follow the administration line on some pieces of legislation, doesn’t mean na kami ay, ika nga e, (we are what they call) an enabler,” Sotto added.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is gunning for the presidency with Sotto as the vice presidential bet, also quickly rejected a Duterte “enabler” tag.
“No, absolutely not,” Lacson said in the same interview. “I’ve called out the President a number of times and I’ve also praised him when there’s need to praise him. So if you call that an enabler, then so be it.
“I was also called out by the President a number of times so I don’t know where that accusation is coming from. Definitely, we’re not enablers. Sabi nga ni Tito Sen, ni partner (As my partner Sen. Tito said), we’re pro-Filipino. That’s it. Period. No more discussion,” he further said.
Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV earlier warned the opposition against engaging in talks with “Duterte collaborators” after the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo confirmed her separate meetings with Lacson and Senator Richard Gordon.
“[H]indi dapat nakikipag-usap sa mga Duterte collaborators… gaya nina Senators Lacson and Gordon (There should be no talks with Duterte collaborators like Senators Lacson and Gordon)” Trillanes said.
Gordon has also openly expressed his interest to run for president in 2022.