President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday threatened to file malversation charges against Senator Richard Gordon for alleged misused of funds while he was still the chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
In his taped weekly address, the President himself claimed that Gordon has yet to return around P140 million which had been flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) during his time as SBMA chairman.
"So I would like to inquire from the Ombudsman if there is a case filed against you because lahat na disallow and the money was not returned. The money was not used in the right way, it deduces into something na personal liability mo," Duterte said.
He also alleged that Gordon pickpocketed about PHP 86 million of his previous Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) given to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
"Kindly settle, or not, I will personally see to it that a case would be filed against you," Duterte continued.
Gordon served as the chairman of SBMA from 1992 to 1998.
In the same speech, Duterte also called Gordon a "hypocrite" for criticizing the government's decision of using military aircraft to fetch medical supplies in China when he himself also used it for the PRC.
“You yourself used a C-130 for your supplies. Under the guise of what? Red Cross. Which is more important— the health of the Red Cross or other health of the people? I was the one who ordered that. And you — I saw it one the records — you used it too. You’re such a hypocrite. You’re a liar," he said.
Duterte also picked on Gordon's position as a senator and chairman of PRC, saying he should give up one of his posts as it is illegal.
"Do not say that Red Cross and ikaw ay [you are] separate identity. That's bullsh*t. You are a dual personality that is banned or prohibited by law. Dapat noon pa dinemanda ka na. Wala lang naglakas ng loob [You should have been sued long ago. It's just that nobody was brave enough]," he said.
"Bawal 'yan, actually. Bawal. Bitawan mo na 'yan because I will insist that you give up one because you cannot be both," Duterte pointed out.
Gordon has yet to issue a statement on this fresh allegation made by the President.
