Palace: Expect Duterte to continue trading barbs with critics who allege corruption

MANILA, Philippines — Expect President Rodrigo Duterte to continue trading barbs with critics as long as there are allegations of corruption in his administration, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the President’s stance is just to answer the allegations since it is important to get the truth out.

“Habang mayroong mga hindi napapatunayang alegasyon, sasagot po tayo dahil kinakailangan ilabas ang katotohanan,” he said when asked if President Duterte will continue answering allegations and trading barbs with critics.

(As long as there are allegations that have failed to be proved, we will answer because the truth must come out.)

Roque was responding to observations that Duterte has devoted much time on his recent public address to respond to allegations, as well as lambasting his critics, particularly Senator Richard Gordon who is leading the Senate probe on the government’s purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies in 2020.

“Importante kasi sagutin ‘yung mga binabatong mga paratang na may corruption daw sa pagbili ng personal protective equipment at face shields,”  the spokesman said.

(It is important to answer the allegations thrown against the administration that there was corruption in the procurement of PPEs and face shields.)

“Inuulit ng mga senador na mayroon daw anomalya, karapatan din naman ng ehekutibo na ulit ulitin na walang overpriced at walang anomalya,” Roque added.

(Senators are repeatedly saying that there were anomalies in the procurement so it is the right of the executive branch to likewise reiterate that there are no anomalies.)

Duterte, in his recent public address, has been launching attacks against Gordon, even accusing the Senate blue ribbon committee chairman of corruption in the Philippine Red Cross.

He has likewise threatened to find fault in senators as they probe the purchase of alleged overpriced medical supplies.

EDV