Rody jokes about killing 15 senators

Former president Rodrigo Duterte joked about killing 15 senators to ensure the victory of Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan’s senatorial slate during the PDPLaban’s proclamation rally Thursday night.

- DIANA LHYD SUELTO

“Now there are many of them. What shall we do? Let’s just kill incumbent senators so there will be vacancies. If we can kill 15 senators, we can all get in. That would be a pity though. But they are very annoying. Not all of them,” Duterte said.

The former president went further and jokingly said, “The only way to do it is to use a bomb.”

He did not specifically say what he suggested bombing.

Duterte’s Senate slate consists of Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, outgoing SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. director Jimmy Bondoc, Kingdom of Jesus Christ pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former local government undersecretary Jayvee Hinlo, former presidential adviser for Northern Luzon Raul Lambino, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and actor Phillip Salvador.

At the same rally, Duterte accused President Marcos anew of being addicted to illegal drugs, particularly heroin.

“There is one President who is really high on drugs (bangag). Not crazy, but drug addiction is longterm. Marcos will be crazy,” Duterte said.

“Maybe constant use of heroin – maybe he could reach the age of 80, but by that time, he can no longer move,” he added.

In 2021, Duterte also claimed that Marcos snorts cocaine. Last year, Marcos commented that Duterte’s brain must be addled by the powerful opioid fentanyl, which Duterte had admitted using for pain relief.

Duterte also slammed the Marcos administration’s failure to address rising food prices, particularly of rice.

“Take rice, for instance, which really hits the gut and heart of Filipinos. He failed to get the most – either subsidize or whatever… It goes on up and up and up, it will be difficult for the people to cope,” Duterte said.