Senators on Tuesday, Sept. 28 rejected President Duterte’s claim that the detention of resource person from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation by the Senate was akin to martial law.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters the President’s statement was “obviously a mislay.”

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Duterte should have been aware of Congress’ powers to hold a resource person in contempt during congressional hearings especially if he is evasive in answering questions asked by the panel.

“The President should know better. He used to be a congressman. He knows the powers of Congress under the Constitution,” Lacson said in an interview on ANC Headstart.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, on the other hand, said Duterte should instead explain how Pharmally officials were able to acquire luxury cars as what was revealed during the Senate inquiry.

“He should instead explain the Lamborghinis, the Porsches of Pharmally execs, the wasted half a billion pesos worth of substandard, expired Pharmally test kits, and the grossly overpriced masks and face shields,” Pangilinan said.

Duterte, in his latest address, criticized the senators after the Blue Ribbon Committee detained Pharmally Director Linconn Ong for repeatedly evading questions.

The President said what the Senate did was worse than martial law.