Senator Richard J. Gordon on Thursday September 23 said he would decide on October 8 on whether or not he would seek a national post in the forthcoming May 2022 national and local elections.
Gordon issued this statement after President Duterte had claimed that Gordon is using the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for his political ambitions.
Duterte also said the public hearing by Gordon’s Senate Blue Ribbon committee on the Procurement Service Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) multi-billion-peso mess has political overtones and is a mere ’’witch hunt.’’
The Gordon committee resumes its hybrid public hearing on the alleged ‘’premeditated plunder’’ at PS-DBM tomorrow.
Gordon said his wife, Kate, has complained that his time intended for his family is being curtailed by his being a senator and being the PRC CEO and chairman where he continues to serve the past 53 years.
He and Bayani Fernando ran and lost in the 2010 presidential and vice presidential elections under Gordon’s political party – Bagumbayan-Volunteers for a New Philippines (VNP).
Filing of certificates of candidacy is in October.
In a related development, Gordon gains more support for leading the fight against government corruption as more groups and institutions are standing behind his Senate’s investigation into the alleged irregularities in the government procurement of medical supplies and equipment to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Various alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman have recently launched an online petition denouncing what they call the “unjust persecution” of Gordon and the PRC by Duterte and his allies.
“We stand by and support Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon in his bold and courageous crusade to unmask the perverse and rapacious theft of the nation’s coffers, and to hold accountable those responsible for the same,” they said in the petition.
They also challenged the President to file criminal cases against the personalities involved in the alleged anomaly and allow the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which Gordon chairs do its job “unhampered and free from any threat.”
Last Sept. 20, the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Classes of 1957, 1961 and 1965 have also issued a strong statement to express their full support behind Gordon for fearlessly calling for public officials to live up to decency in governance.
“It is time to draw the line and demand from our elected officials to put first the interest of Filipinos, especially the medical frontliners, the marginalized and the millions now forced out-of-work by the pandemic, and hardworking small Filipino businessmen now struggling to survive and to keep their workers from starving,” they said.
Other AdMU alumni also lauded Gordon “for his courageous efforts in weeding out scalawags who have allegedly stolen billions of our taxpayers money while thousands of fellow men, women and children are suffering and dying from this deadly pandemic.”
They also expressed gratitude and appreciation for Gordon’s tireless and unselfish efforts in leading the Philippine Red Cross in responding to the needs and demands of the public, 24/7, especially during the protracted pandemic.
On September 21, De La Salle Manila alumni of grade school, high school and college classes of 1961, 1965 and 1970, respectively, conveyed support for the Blue Ribbon’s recent investigation, and lauded Gordon and other senators.
“Senators Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan and Ralph Recto: at this crucial moment in our history, you embody the La Sallian mission of promoting and defending the aspirations of the poor and authentic social justice,” said in their statement.
During the seventh Senate committee hearing, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and other senators commended Gordon’s courage for investigating the alleged irregular procurement of medical supplies and equipment that the government granted to a favoured Chinese supplier, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.