Headline
Sara Duterte slams opposition senators
The incumbent mayor of Davao City Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday exposed the alleged game plan of senators Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV during the previous elections.
On a Facebook post, Duterte-Carpio alleged that the senators, who are members of cause-oriented group Tindig Pilipinas, sought her and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte’s, help during their election campaigns.
She narrated how Pangilinan went to a golf club in Davao City several years ago as he allegedly asked for President Duterte’s endorsement, “With Sharon’s indorsement (sic) and your (PRD) indorsement (sic) I’m sure I can make it,” Duterte-Carpio quoted Pangilinan.
The Davao mayor also revealed that Hontiveros strived for the votes of Davaoeño people.
“Ilang beses mo ako inabala, kinulit at tinawagan para humingi ka ng tulong sa boto mo sa Davao City [How many times did you disturb me, nagged me, and called to ask for help in winning the votes of the people of Davao]? She added, “I can remember your bored face listening to me in our law office just so you can get support for Davao.”
She also said that Trillanes, who is a vocal critic of Duterte, also seek the help of the Dutertes during the vice-presidential election.
“Years ago, nagrequest ka makipag kita sa akin dito sa Davao, nasa Damosa ka, ano sabi ko sa emissary mo? No. You know why? I never liked your circus sa Manila Peninsula. Pero meron ako picture na nakipagkita ka kay PRD kasi humingi ka ng tulong niya sa VP campaign mo [Years ago, you requested to meet me in Davao. You were in Damosa. What did I tell your emissary? No. You know why? I never liked your circus in Manila Peninsula. But I have a picture of you meeting with PRD because you asked for his help in your VP campaign],” Duterte wrote.
Duterte-Carpio added she has corroborative witnesses who will strengthen her claim.
In the latter part of her post, she called the senators fake and ‘opportunists.’
“I smell ambition a million miles away,” she said.
Trillanes, Hontiveros hits back
Following Duterte-Carpio’s attack on social media, Trillanes respond to the former’s allegations against him.
“Ang mga panunumbat ni Mayor Sara Duterte ay nung hindi ko pa kilalang mamamatay tao at magnanakaw ang tatay niyang si Presidente Duterte [The tirades of Mayor Sara Duterte is from the time when I didn’t know yet that her father, President Duterte, is a killer and a thief],” Trillanes said in a statement.
“It is not the same anymore, I already know the truth,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros said that she is “saddened” by Duterte-Carpio’s remarks against her.
“I am grateful for her support during my election campaign and I have honored that support by defending women’s and gender rights, health, human rights, and our country’s democracy,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Hontiveros believes that it is “not a question of loyalty, but principles.”
“Dissent is healthy in a democracy. It serves a check and balance to abuse of power and a way to better governance. It should never be viewed as a hindrance,” she added.
