Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23) — Malacañang on Thursday defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against his critics during public addresses, saying he needs to respond to allegations of corruption against the government.
“Habang meron pong mga hindi napapatunayan na mga alegasyon, sasagot po tayo. Dahil kinakailangan ilabas ang katotohanan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
[Translation: Until there are allegations that are not yet proven, we will reply. Because it’s important to bring out the truth.]
Duterte delivers a weekly public address which is supposed to give an update about the government’s efforts in addressing the health crisis. However, Duterte often uses his public address to castigate his critics.
Duterte has been assailing Senator Richard Gordon recently over the probe on government’s purchase of alleged overpriced medical supplies for pandemic response.
Roque said that it is just right for the President to make a statement against corruption allegations.
“Importante kasing sagutin yung mga binabatong mga paratang na may korupsyon daw sa pagbili ng PPEs (personal protective equipment) at face shield,” said Roque. “Uulitin po natin, kinailangan po natin ng face shields at PPEs dahil namamatay po ang mga healthcare workers natin noong buwan ng Abril noong nagsisimula po ang COVID pandemic.”
[Translation: It’s important to answer the allegations that there is corruption behind the procurement of PPEs and face shield. I will repeat, we needed to purchase face shields and PPEs because our healthcare workers were dying in April last year during the start of the pandemic.]
