Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) — Anti-poverty czar Larry Gadon on Wednesday expressed no regret over his vulgar outburst against a veteran journalist which led to his disbarment, saying he even considers it a victory if his utterances contributed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s election win.
Hours after the Supreme Court (SC) made public its disbarment decision, Gadon stood by his behavior as he continued to accuse journalist Raissa Robles of smearing Marcos when he was still campaigning for the presidency.
\”Kung ‘yun ay naging contribution ko upang mapatahimik ang paninira at kasinungalingan, at isa ‘yun sa naging dahilan sa pagkapanalo ni President Bongbong Marcos, then ako ay nagtagumpay at ako ay masaya,\” the newly-appointed presidential adviser on poverty alleviation said in a press conference.
[Translation: If that was my contribution to stop the defamation and lies, and it became one of the reasons President Bongbong Marcos was elected, then I won and I’m happy.]
In a video that went viral in late 2021, Gadon could be seen hurling profanities and sexist remarks against Robles after the journalist supposedly called Marcos a tax evader. According to the SC, his language was “misogynistic, sexist, [and] abusive,” and his conduct was “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”
But Gadon said another reason he isn’t apologetic is because Marcos’ election victory eventually led to him to secure a presidential adviser post, which he described as a chance to help the country.
A number of lawmakers and groups have slammed Gadon’s appointment, saying he does not have the expertise to take on the role.
