The House political party leaders on Saturday, Oct. 14, called on former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to “avoid making threats or insinuating harm” against members of Congress and or the insitution itself.
“We call upon the former President and all parties involved to avoid making threats or insinuating harm against any member of the House or the institution itself,” the political parties’ leaders said in a joint statement.
The lawmakers added that the forefront should have always been “dialogue and understanding, superseding divisive rhetoric.”
They said that they take “utmost expectation” to the former President’s remark.
“Our institution, the House of Representatives, has been unwavering in its dedication to the Filipino people. It is deeply unfortunate that the former President chose to malign the very institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities,” the solons underscored.
The call comes after Duterte threatened to harm Castro in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during an SMNI program.
According to Duterte, the intelligence fund would be utilize to target "communists" like ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.
“Pero ang unang target sa intelligence fund mo kayo! Ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin,” the former President uttered during the program.
Gabriela Women's party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas condemned Duterte’s death threat.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the death threats made by former President Duterte. Threatening lives of elected representatives is a blatant violation and a dangerous attack on the rights of individuals who are merely pushing for transparency and accountability in government spending,” she said in a statement.
Bosas bared that the Makabayan bloc is looking at possible legal actions against the former Chief Executive.
“We will not be silenced by threats and intimidation. We will continue to advocate for government transparency and the abolition of confidential funds. We in the Makabayan bloc are also looking into possible legal actions against him,” she said.
