Chiz Reminds Duterte Critics: Aquino Gov’t Also Threatened, Impeached, Detained Officials

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is telling critics of President Rodrigo Duterte that the present administration is no different from the previous government regarding threats against the oppositions, pushing for the impeachment of a chief justice and sending to jail a senator.

“Hindi ba’t tulad ng ginawa ng nakaraang administrasyon, tinakot ng impeachment ang dating Ombudsman, nag-resign na lang. In-impeach and nakaupong chief justice, na-impeach. Nagpakulong ng tatlong nakaupong senador at kaniyang predecessor, wala naman nagsabing papunta tayo sa diktadurya noon,” Senator Escudero said during the “Kapihan sa Senado” briefing on Thursday, October 19.

Senator Escudero was referring to former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who resigned from her post in April 29, 2011, prior her scheduled impeachment trial at the Senate while the late Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached on May 2012 because of his undisclosed wealth in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Former Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada were also detained during the term of former President Noynoy Aquino due to their involvement in the pork barrel scam.

“Sa nagsasabing papunta sa diktadurya si Pangulong Duterte dahil sa ginagawa nya kay Ombudsman at chief justice, baliktanawan natin ang ating kasaysayan,” he said.

“Ngayon may impeachment process, may isang senador na napakulong. Halos parang pareho parang kinokopya yung nangyari sa ating kasaysayan na wala namang alegasyon na gaya ng binabatong alegasyon ngayon sa administrasyon,” he added.

The senator was referring to the ongoing impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and threats of impeachment against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales by President Duterte.

Senator Leila De Lima, another staunch critic of the President, is also in detention at Camp Crame under the present administration.

Senator Escudero also said it would be hard for the past administration’s allies to complain about these threats because they also did it before.

“Mahirap magreklamo lalo na yung mga bahagi ng nakaraang administrasyon dahil ginawa rin nila yon,” the senator said.

Source: INQUIRER