From left to right: Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Vice President Sara Duterte, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez (Facebook)

"Desperate, disrespectful, shameful."

That's how House "Young Guns" bloc members Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez described Vice President Sara Duterte following her press conference Friday, Oct. 18 wherein she, among other things, threatened to desecrate the remains of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. 

Marcos Sr. is the late father of incumbent President Marcos Jr.--the lady official's running mate in the previous elections just over two years ago. 

Adiong, a House assistant majority leader and Vice President Duterte's fellow Mindanaoan, said in a joint statement Friday afternoon: “Threatening to desecrate the dead just to shift the narrative is utterly unacceptable.The Vice President must answer the allegations against her, not stoop to such shameful actions.” 

Adiong was referring to the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) that has been hounding the Vice President for over a year now. 

He said Duterte’s comments were “a new low in public discourse” and “a direct attack on our cultural values". 

“This isn’t just political banter—it’s a blatant act of desecration. In our culture, we honor the dead. To use them as pawns in a political game is disgusting. Vice President Duterte should focus on addressing the misuse of public funds instead of resorting to such disgraceful tactics,” he said.


READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/18/barbers-denies-claim-that-quad-comm


House Assistant Minority Leader Gutierrez echoed Adiong's sentiments. 

“This is pure desperation. Instead of facing the allegations head-on, VP Duterte resorts to vile threats. It’s a clear attempt to divert attention, but no amount of disrespect will cover up her mismanagement,” the party-list solon said in the same statement. 

The Young Guns’ condemnation came after Duterte’s shocking claim that she told Senator Imee Marcos that she would dig up the late president’s remains and throw them into the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Senator Marcos is the President’s elder sister.