Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Ria Vergara (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook)

The golden rule says, "Do unto others what you want others to do unto you."

Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Ria Vergara respectfully reminded former president Rodrigo Duterte about this rule Tuesday, Nov. 26 during her opening remarks in the quinta-commiittee's (quinta-comm) first formal hearing.

"As a former President, one of those who has stepped down of office with the highest approval ratings, please give President Marcos a chance without being threatened," said Vergara, chairperson of the Committee on Social Services.

"Please do unto others as others have done to you. This, Mr. Former President, is the golden rule," she added.

The previous evening, Duterte held a press conference wherein he criticized President Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez--something that he had already done in past months.

"I was personally disheartened, disappointed, and frustrated watching our former President's press con last night," Vergara said. 

Vergara wishes that Duterte follow the example of the late former president Benigno S. Aquino III, his direct predecessor in Malacañang.

"So I appeal to our former President, a man I respect. I respect you, and I recognize all you have done for me personally, and I am grateful, as my family and the people I served. 

"But just as the previous late president Aquino stepped out of the public scene and out of delicadeza didn't say anything to question the Duterte's policies on its direction on the drug war, president Aquino stood helplessly by as a full force of the Duterte administration accused, detained, and jailed then-senator Laila de Lima, who has now been exonerated by our courts," noted Vergara.

"Former president Aquino kept his opinions to himself even as our former president Duterte verbally attacked VP Leni [Robredo], wishing her death, 'Mamatay ka na (Die already),' referring to her as a colossal blunder, so many statements unbecoming of a duly elected President to an elected Vice President," she said.

"And that now you are no longer president, Mr. President Duterte, when you wielded great power during your six years, just as former presidents didn't interfere, I pray you do the same," Vergara said.

The soft-spoken congresswoman from Nueva Ecija also described Duterte’s allegation of President Marcos being a drug addict as "careless and unfounded".

"And while you say it is every Filipino's right to speak freely, you, sir, are a former president and your words bear weight because of the office you once held. And for the sake of our nation, please exercise your right to free speech with great care," Vergara further said.