President Rodrigo Duterte was just doing his job when he called Senator Leila De Lima “immoral,” according to chief presidential counsel Salvador Panelo.
It was the President’s duty to report on the behavior of a public figure like De Lima, he said.
De Lima was indirectly accused of accepting drug money and having an illicit affair with her driver in the President’s speech during the celebration of the 115th anniversary of Philippine police service in Camp Crame.
“It was an extension of the report of the President to the nation about what is happening in this country and the people involved,” Panelo explained this morning during an event at Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City.
De Lima, he said, neither denied nor disputed the claims of the President.
“You know, in law, and even in human behavior, silence means consent,” Panelo said.
He clarified that the President’s statement was not a pre-emptive step meant to stop De Lima’s investigation on the extra-judicial killings next week.
Earlier this month, the former Justice secretary lamented about the new government’s bloody war on drugs.
“Senator De Lima had it coming,” Panelo said. “It’s about time na sabihin ni Presidente. Matagal nang nagpipigil si Presidente.” (It’s about time for the President to speak. He’s been holding it in for so long.)
Panelo also added that the President will expose more names in the future. “He promised that, diba? Sabi niya marami pa,” he said. (He promised that, right? He said there’s more.)
