President Rodrigo Duterte gives a news conference that last into the wee hours of Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (Photo by NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net)
“He had it coming.”
President Rodrigo Duterte blamed on Wednesday Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gacscon after the House of Representatives voted 119-32 in favor of giving the CHR a budget of P1,000 for 2018.
READ: House gives Commission on Human Rights P1,000 budget for 2018
“Ito si Gascon, palibhasa pro-dilaw talaga, he opens his mouth in a most inappropriate way and he conducts the business of being CHR. Walang alam,” Duterte told reporters in a late night press briefing that extended until dawn at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“Yan galit ang mga congressman. Ako walang akong ano [galit] sa kanya. Bigyan mo ‘yan ng budget. For all I care kung anong gusto niyang imbestigahan,” he added.
Duterte was at the cemetery attending the wake of Army Capt. Rommel Sandoval and Pfc. Sherwin Canapi, who both died trying to save a buddy in the 11th Scout Ranger Company during a battle in Marawi City.
The President called Gascon a “fool” for meddling in police investigations and making hasty conclusions.
“Ang gawain mo [Gascon] maghintay sila [CHR]. They cannot just investigate. Wala naman silang prosecutory power,” he said.
He slammed Gascon for allegedly being impartial.
“Bantayan nila ‘yung pulis, tingnan nila. They collate. They collate. Ipunin. Then they make a study and then they file the appropriate recommendation,” he said.
“Pero kung makihalo ka doon sa pulis, makipagkalkal ka rin. Then pagdating doon sa opisina mo, there is a foregone conclusion already. How are you supposed to be neutral?” he added.
The chief executive told the human rights chair to just shut up.
“Ang ibig sabihin, t****. Palibhasa nga hindi nga abogado. And if you are not sure of yourself or where you stand, you might as well just maybe shut up,” he said.
“Ngayon ‘yang 1,000 na binigay na ng Congress sa opisina niya, kasi galit ang Congress sa kanya,” he added.
But despite his verbal attacks, Duterte said he was open to having a review of the decision of the House of Representatives.
“Pero ako naman, since it is really an organ of government… it’s on the Constitution. Maybe someday, they might review their decision,” he said. “I’m not here to destroy institutions.”
/atm