Co-chairmen of the House Quad Committee have called on ex-President Rodrigo Duterte to refrain from using profanity and inappropriate language in formal legislative hearings, saying this could set a negative example for Filipinos and erode respect for legislative institutions if tolerated during proceedings.
Reps. Dan Fernandez and Bienvenido Abante stressed that Duterte’s conduct could encourage citizens to emulate the former president’s use of foul language, especially in tense situations.
“Maybe if he’s just a private citizen, [and] he talks like that, [or] he cracks jokes, [perhaps] it’s okay. But when a former President of the country made a joke like that… that’s worrisome,” said Abante, who is also a protestant pastor.
Duterte testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and uttered profanities as he spoke.
The lawmakers argued that legislative records are a part of history and should not be tarnished by inappropriate language.
“It’s embarrassing to all of us [Filipinos]. No one [at the Senate] stood up to delete that [profanities] from the Senate record,” Fernandez said in Filipino.
He then vowed that if Duterte uses such language in Quad Comm hearings, he would ensure it does not make it to the official records, preserving the decorum expected in the institution.
Abante added that the problem is not simply the use of profanity, but the context of Duterte’s words.
He added the Filipino expletive in question goes beyond a simple insult, which makes it particularly offensive to Filipinos.
If Duterte resorts to such language in a Quad Comm hearing, Abante stated he would raise a “point of order.”
“We should not allow any vulgar statement in this hearing,” he said while expressing disappointment over the Senators’ non-intervention
Both Abante and Fernandez stressed the importance of maintaining the standards of conduct within the legislative body, especially in hearings involving sensitive issues like human rights.
When asked how the Quad Comm would handle a foul-mouthed witness, Fernandez explained, “We will try to remind him. But if he doesn’t stop, then we have to take action.”
He emphasized the need to set decorum standards to prevent uncouth behavior among witnesses invited to the Lower Chamber, especially given the Senate’s recent tolerance of Duterte’s behavior.
