Rep. Gary Alejano: ‘Duterte should stop personal attacks’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte should stop his personal attacks against critics and instead focus on issues, Rep. Gary Alejano of party-list group Magdalo said yesterday.

“Mr. President, it would be prudent to stop indulging on personal attacks, which serve no national purpose other than the satisfaction of personal angst. Instead, let the focus of your attention be on the pressing issues that affect our countrymen and by doing so, serve the national interest of our nation,” he said.

The Marine captain-turned-lawmaker made the appeal after the Chief Executive criticized him in remarks at the founding anniversary of the Army Reserve Command.

The President said, “Akala mo siguro Alejano, lahat ng tao corrupt. Kayo yun. Akala mo kayo lang may honor (You probably think, Alejano, everyone is corrupt. You are. You think only you have honor).”

Alejano countered: “The man has the audacity to talk about honor when it is he who has been compromising our national security all this time. Mr. President, talk of honor only if you can prove that your national policies are in line with the interests of the Filipinos.”

He reiterated that if Duterte does not have ill-gotten wealth, all he has to do is sign a bank secrecy waiver that would allow his detractors to look into his bank accounts.

“It has been my call since the beginning. To date, he has never responded to the challenge and his refusal says a lot about him,” Alejano said.

“Once again, this seemingly feisty but baseless remarks about personality politics may yet be another scheme to cover up the bigger issues in the country,” he added.

Another Magdalo leader, opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, had claimed that the Dutertes had bank transactions amounting to more than P2 billion. The President denied the accusation.