Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Drixie Mae Cardema. Photo from the House of Representatives Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines — Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Drixie Mae Cardema heaped praises on former President Rodrigo Duterte during a House hearing and noted that the former leader was the only one who advocated for measures against criminals like rapists, illegal drug traders, kidnappers, and terrorists.
In her manifestation at the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on Wednesday, Cardema called out several members of the panels and resource persons — particularly those from progressive groups — for criticizing Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Duterte was present at the hearing, which focused on the alleged extrajudicial killings in his drug war. Before Cardema’s speech, Duterte was grilled for admitting to killing individuals and his statement about goading criminals to draw weapons so police can kill them.
“Ang kinukondena niyo ngayon ay ang dalawang naging most trusted leaders ng bansa na todo effort protektahan ang milyong-milyong mga Pilipino. In support sa advocacy sa Pangulong Duterte, ang Duterte Youth party-list ngayon ang kaisa-isang nagpapanukala ng pagbalik ng death penalty para sa mga rapists, kidnappers, dorogista at terrorista,” Cardema said.
(You are condemning the two most trusted leaders of the country who are doing everything to protect millions of Filipinos. In support of former President Duterte’s advocacy, the Duterte Youth party-list is the only one pushing for the reinstatement of the death penalty for rapists, kidnappers, drug lords, and terrorists.)
“In behalf of the Duterte Youth party-list, kami ay nagpapasalamat sa todong suporta ng Pangulong Duterte at VP Sara Duterte sa mga tropa ng gobyerno at sa pagdurog niyo sa mga kriminal, durogista at NPA (New People’s Army) na terrorista,” she added.
(On behalf of the Duterte Youth party-list, we are grateful for the full support of Duterte and VP Sara Duterte to the government troops, and for crushing criminals, drug lords, and terrorists from the NPA.)
Cardema also insinuated that the hearing was not fair as many individuals supportive of the Duterte administration’s drug war were not invited.
“Gusto natin ng patas na hearing. Sana sinama natin dito ang libo-libong mga magulang na ang mga anak ay biniktima ng mga durogista, ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino na naglalakad galing trabaho tapos sinaksak o pinatay ng adik, lahat ng mga kababaihan, na kahit pati infant na babae ay ginahasa ng adik, libo-libo rin ang kanilang mga magulang at mahal sa buhay na wala dito ngayon,” she said.
(We want a fair hearing. I hope we could also include the thousands of parents whose children were victimized by drug addicts, the ordinary Filipinos walking home from work who were stabbed or killed by addicts, all the women, even infant girls who were raped by addicts—thousands of their parents and loved ones who are no longer here with us.)
“Awang-awa ang mga Pilipino sa mga inosenteng pamilyang na ito kaya niluklok ng bansa ang Pangulong Duterte,” she added.
(The Filipino people were deeply moved by the plight of these innocent families, which is why the country elected Duterte.)
However, Cardema’s manifestation was swiftly met with opposition from lawmakers like quad committee vice chairperson and Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, who stressed to his fellow lawmakers that she and the Dutertes were not alone in serving the country.
Acop, a former police general who started his career with the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary, noted that he has spent more than half his life in public service.
“I’ve given up my life for this country. The former president (Duterte) is only two years older than I am, but I have been fighting for this country. I was a member of the Philippine Constabulary, and became a policeman after Republic Act 6975 was enacted,” Acop said.
Acop said Cardema’s statement “betrays her ignorance” and advised her to file a resolution so she can launch her own investigation.
“This statement of my colleague betrays her ignorance. If you want things to be investigated, go file a resolution and maybe refer to the appropriate committee to be fair with her. She’s a congressman, she knows the rules. However, your statements betray your ignorance of our rules here in this House,” he said.
“So I beg to disagree that only they fought, and know how to fight with the country’s enemy. As I’ve said before, I have given the most part or most years of my life fighting the enemy of this country,” he added.
Quad committee lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers agreed with Acop, noting that no one has the monopoly on love for the country.
Barbers also urged Cardema to attend hearings and submit a list of individuals she wants to be invited as resource persons.
“Yes, let me emphasize na wala pong may monopolya ng pagmamahal sa bayan dito, pare-parehas po tayo dito. And following the suggestion of Congressman Acop, mag-attend kayo ng hearing, hindi ‘yong a-attend kayo kapag nandito lang ang ating dating pangulo, at ating Bise Presidente,” Barbers said.
(Yes, let me emphasize that no one has a monopoly on love for the country here; we are all in this together. And following Congressman Acop’s suggestion, you should attend the hearings, not just when former President Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte are present.)
“Umattend kayo. This committee hearing, this quad comm makes announcements of all its hearings, and from here on, we want to see you in our hearings, and please submit to the committee secretary all the persons you want to be invited. Wala hong ano ‘yan, kung sino ang gusto niyong imbitahan, pwede po ‘yan,” he added.
(Attend the hearings. This quad committee announces all its hearings, and from now on, we expect to see you at our hearings. Please submit to the committee secretary the names of the people you want to invite. There’s no issue with that; anyone you want to invite is welcome.)
Former President Duterte attended the quad committee hearing — after being invited numerous times — to shed light on the alleged human rights violations in his drug war.
The former leader is a central figure in the probe, especially after ex-police officials delivered shocking testimonies. Previously, retired police colonel Royina Garma claimed that a Davao model — a rewards system — was implemented in the nationwide drug war.
Garma said Duterte called her in May 2016 — when he was president-elect — to discuss the creation of a task force that would implement the Davao template nationwide. The Davao template, Garma said, involved providing cash grants worth P20,000 to P1 million to cops who kill drug suspects.
READ: Garma says Davao drug war template, rewards system applied in entire PH