Amid supposed increased attacks against President Rodrigo Duterte, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Friday said he asked their partymates in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban to help “protect” the President.
Pimentel said he made the plea during a basic membership seminar Thursday night with some 40 public officials composed of congressmen, governors, and councilors present.
“We need to protect the President. We need to help the President because we noticed the increase in attacks against him,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel, however, said the impeachment complaint filed against the President was not discussed during the seminar.
Last week, Magdalo Rep. party-list Gary Alejano filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte and accused him of culpable violation of the constitution, bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban, said he also asked for the support of his party mates not only for Duterte but also for the party’s leadership.
“I have observed personally [the] sustained, increased attacks, unreasonable attacks. So being the chairman of the party, sabi ko let’s [show] support,” Pimentel said.
“Don’t believe fake news. Don’t believe this disinformation campaign,” he added.
Pimentel also asked critics of the President to respect the decision of the electorate in the 2016 elections.
He said that while criticisms are welcome, it was unfair to paint the President as someone who has done nothing good for the country.
“You are free to criticize lalo kung may pagkakamali eh it will encourage constructive criticism. Pero 'wag naman 'yung parang walang ginawang tama lahat tapos magsusumbong sa international community. What’s the point?” Pimentel said in an apparent attack against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Robredo earlier sent a video to the United Nations (UN) revealing alleged police abuses in the country. The video was shown not in any UN meeting but in one of hundreds of side events and exhibits.
“Tapos na 'tong eleksyon. Let’s accept that we have President Duterte in the next six years,” Pimentel said.
Source : GMA