MANILA—Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday President Rodrigo Duterte’s personal attacks against fellow Senator Leila de Lima, has unnecessarily set the Executive and the Senate on a “collision course”.
“His statements depart from the government’s commitment to transparency since one of the best ways to pursue truth is through healthy deliberation driven by facts,” Hontiveros said.
Duterte, in his speech during the 115th service anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame on Wednesday, mentioned how a certain senator had a “lover” who accepted drug money from the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Duterte made these remarks after de Lima last week called for a probe on the extra-judicial killings under the administration’s intensified anti-drug campaign.
The former justice secretary has cried foul over the President’s remarks about her, describing them as a form of “character assassination”.
“As a woman, I take deep offense at President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest remarks against fellow Senator Leila de Lima. They are misogynistic,” Hontiveros said.
“The President’s latest statements establish a consistent and disturbing pattern, which is prejudicial to women,” she added.
She also criticized the President for giving premium to personal attacks over real arguments and appealed to prejudice rather than discourse.
“While he is known for his colorful language, it is not an excuse to insult and threaten women or target, without basis, a person’s reputation,” she added.