Duterte not obliged to give in to Trillanes’ IQ test dare

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the National Heroes’ Day commemoration at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 27, 2018, urged the Filipinos not only to honor the heroes but also to emulate the values that they have displayed. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not obliged to give in to the challenge of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to take an IQ (intelligence quotient) test, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

“Again the President is not obliged to give in to any demands of anyone,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

On Monday, Trillanes challenged Duterte to an IQ test after Duterte questioned his intelligence during the National Heroes’ Day rites held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Duterte said he wondered how Trillanes was able to survive studying at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) given “his character, his mouth, and his low IQ.”

Trillanes, a former Navy officer, said the President’s failure to solve the country’s problems is proof that he has a low IQ.

He said he is willing to resign as senator if Duterte scores higher than him in the IQ test.

Roque brushed aside Trillanes’ remark, suggesting he should prioritize taking psychological test instead of an IQ test.

“Let’s start with the psych test then we can go to an IQ test.

An IQ test is premature, let’s begin with a psych test. After all, would be Chief Justices are required to take the test,” Roque said.

“My reaction to your question is perhaps we should begin with a test on sanity before we even talk about IQ,” he added.