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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto, senators laud Gordon for standing up against Duterte in PPE 'overpricing' probe

Sotto, senators laud Gordon for standing up against Duterte in PPE 'overpricing' probe

Published Sep 17, 2021 12:40 pm

In a rebuttal to attacks against him by President Duterte, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Friday September 17 stressed that he has no plans to run for the vice presidency in the 2022 national elections.

In a related development, Gordon’s colleagues in the 24-member Senate led by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon congratulated Gordon in meeting President Duterte head on following the President’s continued barrage of criticisms against the Senate’s investigations.

Gordon issued the statement to rebut President Duterte’s assertion that he (Gordon) was using his chairmanship of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and his on-going probe into the P42 billion ‘’mess’’ at Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) for his political ambitions.

He said he has not made announcement that he is running for the vice presidency.

Gordon said he thinks he has already served the country.

He pointed out that it is the President himself who is running for the vice presidency.

Gordon said the Senate should be allowed to continue with its probe as it has so far uncovered ‘’fraud, waste and abuse.’’

Sotto said Gordon is just doing his job as Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman.

During a hybrid public of the Senate committee, Drilon congratulated Gordon for the courage he has shown in facing up to the President.

Opposition Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan said he associated himself with the views expressed by Drilon.

Pangilinan congratulated Gordon’s ‘’zeal in addressing the massive corruption’’ in government.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is certain detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima would be joining them in congratulating Gordon.

‘’I’m really sorry for you. You are a cheap politician as cheap as they come,’’ Gordon told President Duterte.

He asked why President Duterte continues to defend Michael Yang, a billionaire, who is at the center of the PS-DBM mess.

Gordon said the President should allow the Senate to continue with its probes.

‘’I prayed for you (President Duterte). You need prayers. I pray forgiveness for you,’’ he stressed.

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