President Duterte chided Vice President Leni Robredo about a statement she made, accusing him of trying to extort money from the United States in exchange for the continuation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and lashed back that, being a lawyer, she should have known better that the President holds exclusive authority to chart the country’s foreign relations agenda.
Duterte advised Robredo that she should “study more” if she wanted to become president, as she was obviously not aware of her role in government.
"Every time she opens her mouth, she forgets that she is a lawyer," Duterte said late Monday in an address to the Filipino people from Davao City.
Obviously piqued, Duterte was reacting to a statement issued by Robredo describing as “extortion” his February 12 statement which asked the US to “pay” the Philippines if it wants the VFA to continue.
Duterte went on to allege that Robredo was not qualified to become president because she did not know that a country's foreign policy lies exclusively on the president of the Philippines.
"You really are not qualified to run as President. You do not know your role," he told Robredo.
'Kung wala kang alam, 'wag kang magsalita (If you know nothing, don't speak)," he continued.
According to the President, he was worried that Robredo could actually become president. But if it does happen, he advised her to study more.
"Kinakabahan ako baka (I'm worried because maybe), if by chance, maging presidente ka (you might become president)," Duterte said.
"If by unfortunate chance you become the president, please study more. I think that you need a refresher course as (on) law. That is my advice to you," he added.
President Duterte also called out Senator Panfilo Lacson for sharing the same sentiment as Robredo, but said he was more inclined to forgive him because, unlike Robredo, he was not a lawyer.
Duterte, however, noted that Lacson has been “cunning with his statements” against some of his policies, and, nevertheless, advised him to know his place.
"Use a language that will promote your person, your human being. Hindi yung basta-basta ka nalang magpost-post diyan (Don't just post stuff on social media) without really finding out whether you are part of it or not. I'm telling you, you are not," he said.
"Next time, consult a lawyer in your office," he added.
On Monday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that President Duterte was only right to ask the US to pay up for the right to engage in VFA activities in the country because it was making the Philippines a "valid military target" for its potential foes like China.
"Hindi po ito (This is not) extortion," he said.
"Pagka nagka-giyera po, narito po ang mga pwersa ng mga Amerikano sa Pilipinas. Natural, ano ang gagawin ng mga kalaban ng Amerikano? Sasantuhin ba tayo kahit sabihin natin na hindi tayo kasali sa kanilang gulo? Hindi po (If a war breaks out, the American troops are here in the Philippines. What will their enemies do then? Do you think they will show us mercy? No)," he added.
The VFA, signed in 1998 and ratified the following year, allows joint trainings between American and Filipino soldiers in the Philippines and governs the conduct of US troops while they are in the country.
In February last year, President Duterte ordered the termination of the VFA after the US revoked the visa of his close ally Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and after the ban on the entry of officials supposedly behind the arrest and detention of Senator Leila de Lima.
In June 2020, President Duterte suspended the termination of the VFA due to "political and other developments in the region." Last month, the government suspended the abrogation anew but negotiations continue.