MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV urged President Rodrigo Duterte to stop “threatening” people who stand for what is right and true and also called on Filipinos and cause-oriented groups to throw their support behind Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang.
“Para kay…Mr. Duterte, tigilan mo na ang mga paninindak mo sa mga taong tumitindig para sa tama at para sa katotohanan,” said Trillanes on Sunday, hours after the chief executive challenged Morales and Chief Justice Sereno to resign with him and assailed Carandang for publicizing “fabricated evidence” of his and his family’s supposed ill-gotten wealth.
Instead of using his power and influence to intimidate those investigating his alleged hidden wealth, Duterte should man up and answer the accusations being hurled at him, according to the lawmaker.
“‘Wag ka magtago sa kapangyarihan ng presidente. Magpakalalaki ka at harapin mo ang mga paratang sayo,” said Trillanes.
The senator reiterated his challenge for Duterte to sign bank secrecy waivers just like what Trillanes did so the chief executive could back up his claim that he was not hiding any wealth.
“Kung wala kang tinatago, pumirma ka ng waiver para malaman ang katotohanan,” the lawmaker said.
During his speech in Davao City last Sunday, Duterte said his wealth “would not go beyond P40 million,” which included his “lifetime savings” and inheritance from his father.
Trillanes said Morales and Carandang needed the support of the public in going after crooks in the government.
“Nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan at mga cause-oriented groups na ipahiwatig nila ang kanilang suporta kay Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales at Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang upang magampanan nila ang kanilang tungkulin na panagutin ang mga tiwali sa ating gobyerno,” he said.
