By Genalyn Kabiling
Police and military officials will be “safe” in case they are summoned to Senate inquiries given the presence of two close allies in the upper chamber, President Duterte said Thursday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said they do not have to worry about getting insulted or humiliated during Senate hearings especially with administration Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go around.
Dela Rosa, former police chief, and Go, a longtime assistant of Duterte, won in the last midterm elections.
"With Bato and Bong, kumportable ako na hindi kayo ma-ano, you’re safe in the Senate. At least wag kayong babuyin na sigaw sigawan ," Duterte said during the oath-taking of newly promoted police officers at the Palace, adding that Go is “pro-police” and “pro-military."
Duterte also urged the police and military officials to leave the hearing if they will receive rude treatment from lawmakers.
He said they should not accept any statement from lawmakers who will humiliate them in public.
"Tumindig ka at sabihin mo 'Sir, I came here to honor your summons, your invitation to be here. I am here to testify to the truth. And you can send me to hell if I lie but do not, do not rob me of my dignity,'" he said.
He said if the Senate decides to cite an officer in contempt and detain them, Duterte said he would personally pick them up at the Senate.
He also reminded lawmakers to refrain from presuming persons invited to inquiries are already corrupt or have committed a crime.
"Walang ganunan, walang bastusan, we are all workers of government. Do not presume na yung tao, ang taong kaharap mo kagaya mong magnanakaw. At sigaw sigawan mo dyan ," he said.
"Kung ako congressman noon, kung ako ganunin mag puta putahin ko sila ," he added.
The President has previously appealed to lawmakers to show respect towards resource persons, otherwise, he will assert his authority to protect those humiliated in inquiries.
He claimed that the senators are "not special" and do not have the right to insult people invited to their hearings.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said they do not have to worry about getting insulted or humiliated during Senate hearings especially with administration Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go around.
Dela Rosa, former police chief, and Go, a longtime assistant of Duterte, won in the last midterm elections.
"With Bato and Bong, kumportable ako na hindi kayo ma-ano, you’re safe in the Senate. At least wag kayong babuyin na sigaw sigawan ," Duterte said during the oath-taking of newly promoted police officers at the Palace, adding that Go is “pro-police” and “pro-military."
Duterte also urged the police and military officials to leave the hearing if they will receive rude treatment from lawmakers.
He said they should not accept any statement from lawmakers who will humiliate them in public.
"Tumindig ka at sabihin mo 'Sir, I came here to honor your summons, your invitation to be here. I am here to testify to the truth. And you can send me to hell if I lie but do not, do not rob me of my dignity,'" he said.
He said if the Senate decides to cite an officer in contempt and detain them, Duterte said he would personally pick them up at the Senate.
He also reminded lawmakers to refrain from presuming persons invited to inquiries are already corrupt or have committed a crime.
"Walang ganunan, walang bastusan, we are all workers of government. Do not presume na yung tao, ang taong kaharap mo kagaya mong magnanakaw. At sigaw sigawan mo dyan ," he said.
"Kung ako congressman noon, kung ako ganunin mag puta putahin ko sila ," he added.
The President has previously appealed to lawmakers to show respect towards resource persons, otherwise, he will assert his authority to protect those humiliated in inquiries.
He claimed that the senators are "not special" and do not have the right to insult people invited to their hearings.