16-2-2025 (MANILA) Former President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn fierce criticism from lawmakers after suggesting the assassination of 15 senators to create vacancies for his preferred candidates.
The controversial remarks, made during a recent gathering in San Juan City, have prompted members of the House majority bloc to call for legal action against the former head of state. The statements mark a striking shift in how Duterte’s provocative rhetoric is now being received by the political establishment.
Representative Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur emphasised that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should scrutinise Duterte’s comments with the same rigour applied to the recent investigation of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who faces complaints for alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We cannot apply different standards when evaluating threats of violence,” said Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun, an assistant majority leader. “If the Vice President faces legal consequences, similar principles must apply to the former President’s intimidatory remarks.”
The situation represents a marked departure from Duterte’s presidency, when such inflammatory statements were often dismissed as mere jokes or hyperbole by supporters and government officials alike.
Taguig City Representative Pammy Zamora delivered a particularly pointed critique, stating, “The violence witnessed during the Duterte administration remains a serious matter with lasting consequences for our nation. We must categorically reject any attempt to normalise threats and intimidation in political discourse.”
The controversy has even drawn comment from President Marcos Jr., who suggested the remarks reflected a troubling mindset where violence is seen as a solution to political challenges.
The backlash comes amid heightened scrutiny of political violence in the Philippines, particularly following Duterte’s controversial drug war, which resulted in thousands of deaths, predominantly among impoverished communities. Whilst Duterte and his administration have consistently denied that killing was official policy, the legacy of this period continues to influence political discourse.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed dismay at the timing of such remarks, particularly as the nation grapples with pressing economic and social challenges. The senator highlighted how such statements distract from crucial discussions about food prices, education, and employment being advanced by former senators Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
