Palace reminds Duterte, officials to uphold the law

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. LYN RILLON/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday declined to comment on Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed death threat against Davidson Bangayan (alias David Tan) and instead reminded officials to uphold the law.

“All government officials whether local or national have the basic responsibility to uphold the rule of law,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a press briefing.

Coloma assured the public that the government is working on reforms to address problems such as rice smuggling.

Duterte, during a senate hearing on Monday, said he would “gladly” kill Bangayan if caught smuggling rice in Davao City. He said he would do it for the country and that he didn’t mind spending the rest of his life in prison.

The mayor had earlier complained about other government officials who talked too much but did so little to solve the country’s problems.

Commission on Human Rights Chair Loretta Ann Rosales on Tuesday said Duterte should have been held in contempt by the Senate for what he said. But Senate committee on agriculture chair Cynthia Villar said she believed the statement was just a “figure of speech.”

Related stories:

CHR slams Duterte’s death threat against Bangayan

Duterte says he’s willing to kill Bangayan if caught smuggling rice in Davao City

‘David Tan’ shows up at Senate rice smuggling probe