THERE is “absolutely no factual and legal basis” in the attempt of Sen. Risa Hontiveros to implicate former president Rodrigo Duterte to the controversial pharmacy anomaly, his former spokesman said on Monday.
Salvador Panelo, who was also Duterte’s former chief legal counsel, said that accusations thrown by Hontiveros were nothing but her “obsession to tarnish the reputation” of the former leader.
Aside from being linked to the Pharmally fiasco, Duterte is also being accused of having a hand in the purported illegal activities by Philippine offshore gaming operators.
Former Malacañang spokesman Salvador Panelo. File Photo
“She keeps using her committee to try persons by publicity — denying them of the due process clause of the Constitution under the guise of legislative inquiry in aid of legislation — as exemplified by what she did to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who have become victims of her injustice,” Panelo said in a statement.
“She has been abusing this right given to Congress. Her apparent intention is to malign the character of PRRD and at the same time she wants to be politically relevant and preparing to run for a higher office. She always wants to be in the public eye for the name recall and media mileage,” he added.
The former Palace maintained that Duterte, from his time as public prosecutor, vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, and president, has never been involved in any illegal acts and has been known as “the fierce and unforgiving nemesis of grafters and enemies of the state.”
Instead of going after Duterte, Panelo urged Hontiveros to “focus on introducing legislative bills that will address the basic problems” of the country such as “poverty, lack of education, and issues on health, public works, agriculture, trade and the like.”
“She is wasting taxpayers money. This must stop,” Panelo said.
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