What good has the Senate done to the country anyway?
Such was the question that President Duterte left on the minds on the public from his latest "Talk to the People" public address, which was aired on Wednesday morning, Sept. 8.
Duterte chided the Senate for having the same personalities over and over again insofar as who gets elected to the legislative chamber.
"Pabalik nang pabalik nang pabalik nang pabalik yan sila. Tanungin ko kayo--may nakita ba kayong magandang batas na nakatulong sa bansa? (They keep returning there over and over and over and over again. I ask you--have you seen a good law that has helped the country?)" he said.
In this regard, Duterte took a jab at the voters, insinuating that they don't look beyond the names that are included in the "sample ballots" that are given to them come election time.
"Itong mga senador, hindi mo ba nakita? Sila lang. Kasi kayo magboto, ang nasa isip lang kasi ninyo eh may ballot box naman (Haven't you noticed these senators? They're the same people. It's because when you vote, all you think about is, we'll, there's a sample ballot anyway)," he said.
"Hindi na kayo nagsawa dyan sa kanila? (Are you not fed up with them?) Sa totoo lang (Really)....what spectacular achievement have they achieved in the past going to the present?" the Chief Executive further asked.
He went on to tell voters in next year's elections: "Palitan na lang ninyo ng mga bago. Kahit sino. Kung magtakbo yung barangay captain ninyo pagka-senador, botohan ninyo (Replace them with new ones. Anybody will do. If your barangay captain runs for the Senate, vote for him)..Panibagong tao naman (Vote for new people) with proven reputation for honesty and with the penchant to work with industry."
Duterte has launched tirades against the senators over the latter's conduct of investigations on the alleged misuse of public funds in connection with the government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The President has insisted that there has been no corruption in the procurement of medical supplies, particularly personal protective equipment (PPE). He has exonerated the Department of Health (DOH) and the Procurement Service-Departmet of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in this regard.
Duterte had earlier slammed the Senate for its failure to jail individuals for corruption despite its penchant for holding public inquiries.
Duterte has questioned if these televised probes were "in aid of legislation" as claimed by senators, or "in aid of election".