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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Diokno explains why Duterte's insults never affected him; 'Bawal ang pikon,' says he

Diokno explains why Duterte's insults never affected him; 'Bawal ang pikon,' says he

Published Dec 19, 2021 11:32 am

His experience as a trial lawyer helped human rights lawyer and senatorial aspirant Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno shrugged off the insults hurled at him by President Duterte in the past.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and President Rodrigo Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

On more than one occasion, the President poked fun at Diokno’s physical appearance, particularly of his large teeth.

“Well, may kasabihan kasi kami sa mga (we have a saying as a) trial lawyer. Ako’y matagal na abugadong humaharap sa iba’t-ibang korte natin at kaming mga (I have been a lawyer for a long time who faces different courts and us) trial lawyer ang kasabihan namin bawal ang pikon, ang pikon ay talo (our saying is you cannot be onion-skinned, the onion-skinned always loses),” he said.

“Dala-dala ko rin iyan sa larangan ng putilika kaya noong pati ngipin ko ay nilalait ni Pangulo, okay lang sa akin iyon (I bring that with me even in the field of politics that’s why even when the President was insulting my teeth, that’s okay with me),” Diokno added.

The veteran lawyer, in fact, embraced the insults and used them to his advantage.

READ: Duterte accuses Diokno of black propaganda, derides his appearance

His official slogan is “Ngipin ng Batas (Teeth of the Law),” expressing his advocacy of strengthening the laws to protect the Filipinos.

“Ang sabi ko nga kailangan lagyan natin ng ngipin ang batas, di ba? Dapat may kagat ang hustisya. Mas maganda pa nga kung ganun ang tanggap natin sa panlalait sa atin (I said that we should put teeth to the law, right? There should be strength in justice. It’s better if we accept the insults hurled at us),” Diokno said.

The lawyer, who is the current chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), first ran for senator in 2019 under the opposition slate Otso Diretso, but failed to secure a seat in the Magic 12.

He is seeking election as a senator in the 2022 elections under presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo’s and running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s opposition ticket.

Duterte hurled insults at Diokno’s physical appearance after the latter criticized the government’s bloody war on drugs campaign and its slow COVID-19 pandemic response.

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President Duterte 2022 elections SENATORIAL ASPIRANT insults Chel Diokno teeth of the law
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