MANILA, Philippines — Straight to hell – that’s where the senatorial candidates of the opposition Otso Diretso (Straight Eight) are headed, according to President Duterte.
Duterte said the opposition coalition is composed of candidates who have not done anything for the country but criticize.
“Sinong ipalit mo diyan sa… ‘yang Otso Diretso, papuntang impyerno (Otso Diretso is heading straight to hell),” the President said during a late night campaign rally of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Zamboanga City on Sunday.
“Walang ginawa ‘yang mga tao na ‘yan puro criticize, hindi pa maniwala (Those people do nothing but criticize),” he added.
It was the first time Duterte attacked the Otso Diretso in a campaign sortie, questioning their competence and accomplishments.
He called former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II “hambugero” or arrogant and questioned his achievements.
“He occupied every Cabinet post. What did he do? Give me one of his achievements, even just one,” Duterte said, referring to Roxas, who served as trade secretary during the administrations of former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and transportation and interior chief during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III.
Roxas shrugged off Duterte’s criticisms against the opposition candidates and instead discussed his legislative agenda.
“I will continue to focus on job creation and increasing workers’ pay and income of small and medium enterprises. I will also keep on monitoring the prices of goods and ensure the availability of cheaper medicine for our people,” Roxas said when asked to comment on Duterte’s tirades.
Vice President Leni Robredo defended the opposition senatorial candidates, saying they were chosen because of their good track record.
The other Otso Diretso candidates hit back at Duterte, saying he is using his position to campaign for his bets at the expense of the opposition.
Duterte said a vote for Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano is a “mistake” as he belittled the former soldier’s involvement in uprisings against Arroyo.
“Look at the Magdalo. They launched a revolt in Makati... When the police came, they surrendered,” Duterte said.
He said Sen. Bam Aquino is just a lookalike of his uncle, the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
“What significant thing have you done? What have you done that is really impressive? You just oppose. You just criticize,” Duterte asked.
He called former Quezon representative Erin Tañada a leftist who supports the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA).
“Tañada is a leftist. You know who gives us headaches? They do. They do not admit they are NPA members but they are supporting the group. They serve as their lawyers,” Duterte said.
He insinuated that election lawyer Romulo Macalintal only serves moneyed clients.
“Abugado ka lang kung may pera ka (You are only a lawyer if you have money),” he said as he poked fun at the mannerisms of some opposition candidates and calling them names.
He ridiculed Chel Diokno’s manner of talking and claimed that the senatorial bet is no match to his father former senator Jose Diokno.
Former solicitor-general Florin Hilbay, meanwhile, was described by the President as “turtle.”
Robredo said the fact that the President mentioned each opposition bet showed that they are getting the awareness of the people.
“If they are not relevant, why would the President waste his time on them. It only means they have a big chance to win in the May 13 polls,” Robredo said in an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The Otso Diretso bets said it is the job of the opposition to oppose the wrong policies of the government.
“We still have democracy, right? Don’t take criticisms personally,” Hilbay said in a statement, addressing the President.
Diokno questioned the track record of the administration bets.
“I return the question to the President, what have your candidates done for the country except put up tarpaulins?” Diokno said. – With Roel Pareño