Duterte accuses senators of corruption, says Cabinet members are ‘clean’

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is accusing senators, particularly Senator Richard Gordon, of alleged involvement in corruption, as he claimed that members of his Cabinet are “clean.”

During his taped meeting with Cabinet officials aired on state-run PTV-4 on Thursday, Duterte admitted that there is corruption in some government offices but not among his top officials.

“I would be lying if I say there is no corruption. In some other offices, departments, there are. But I am making you this guarantee, ‘yung Cabinet members ko, wala ‘yan. Puro malinis ‘yan (There is no corruption among my Cabinet members. They are all clean),” he said.

“Ang mga senador, meron (There is corruption among senators). Gordon is one,” he added.

It was at this point when Duterte then ordered Solicitor General Jose Calida to instruct the Commission on Audit (COA) to check the financial records of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), where Gordon serves as chairman.

According to Duterte, Gordon used the PRC as his “milking cow” in his previous election campaigns.

Malacañang insists that the COA can conduct audits on the PRC, which is a non-government organization.

Gordon, meanwhile, noted that Duterte’s tirades are just “distractions” as the Senate blue ribbon committee, which he chairs, is investigating the government’s purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies in 2020.

/MUF