Senate President Francis Escudero does not believe any of his colleagues in the upper chamber were particularly intimidated by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark about killing 15 of them to make way for the opposition senatorial ticket.
Speaking to reporters in Quezon City, the Senate President said the former leader’s remark has not even merited a discussion among senators.
“I don’t think any of the senators actually felt threatened by that remark,” Escudero said in Filipino.
He clarified that he did not feel alluded to in Duterte’s comment and saw no reason to take legal action against the former president.
“I didn’t really feel that I was one of the 15. I don’t know who they are, but it seems like I’m not part of it,” Escudero said.
When asked if he would file a complaint or refer the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation, Escudero dismissed the idea, saying there were only specific crimes that require private complainants.
It can be recalled that Duterte made the remark during the proclamation rally of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas senatorial candidates at Club Filipino in San Juan City on February 13.
“If we can kill around 15 senators, we can all go in,” Duterte said in a speech, drawing mixed reactions from the public and political figures.
However, despite him shrugging them off, Escudero made it clear that he was not amused by Duterte’s coarse use of words.
“While such statements are disappointing, we have gotten used to them for six years [during Duterte’s term]. If there will be a response to those remarks… I hope it will be in the manner our countrymen cast their votes [during the midterm elections]. As for me, I’m not keen on suing him,” he stressed.
“But I cannot speak for the other senators neither am I speaking for the Senate because we haven’t even discussed this,” Escudero noted.
Meanwhile, Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, both known lieutenants of Duterte, insisted that former president only made the remark in jest.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., a member of the Alyansa senatorial slate, also said that Duterte’s language should not be taken seriously.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada said that Duterte is really fond of making such jokes, and that “It’s a non-issue for me.”
Still, not all lawmakers were so quick to absolve the former President.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is at a loss for words over Duterte’s latest remarks.
“Amid peoples’ sufferings, that’s his response… more violence?”, she lamented.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Escudero says senators not threatened by Duterte’s ‘kill’ remarks.”
