TUESDAY / MARCH 5, 2019

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By DJ YaP Panel
@deejayapINQ TI
tion (
A Senate full of babal
President Duterte's City I
"yes men" would only
not be good for made
democracy. the
That in a nutshell is the res- Conv
ponse of the opposition team Pasa)
Otso Diretso to Mr. Duterte's Philir
comments mocking its candi- recto
dates for always criticizing his andjr
adminisiration. Dr
Mr. Duterte again attacked crack
the opposition candidates in an Dutel
administration campaign rally that I
in Zamboanga City on Sunday poor,
night, calling their team a coali- pushr
tion going "straight to hell." crow
"Diretso," Filipino for the of tl
Spanish "derecho," . means candi
"straight." night
"Who will you vote for, that T]
Otso Diretso straight to hell?" repre
Mr. Duterte said, addressing the videc
crowd. "These people have done T]
notlfng but criticize" the ad- City I
ministration, he said. an in
Otso Diretso responded on the t(
Monday, with human dghts atten
Iawl'er Chel Diokno saying the "1
opposition's role is to ''question, alten
criticize and offer an altemative HUGPONG AT PICC Only two of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNp) senatorial candidates made it becar
to how government is being rurl" to the group's rally at the Philippine lnternational Convention Center (plCC) in pasay City on Monday. they I
Former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa and journalist Jiggy Manicad are joined by tiviti(
Don't be'onion-skinned' President Duterte's daughtet Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who heads the HNp.
"The President should not
be onion-skinned-this is the Ci
mark of a democracy," Diokno we? Don't take it personally. this a comedy," he added. should not take Mr. Duterte's City
said in a statement We're just doing. our job," he Former Quezon Rep. Erin comments seriously. Sen. I
He recalled the words of his said in Filipino. Tanada repeated his call for a "Maybe he was just trying to tratio
father, the late statesman Jose Magdalo Rep. cary A.tejano debate with the administration crack a joke," presidential had I
- "Ka Pepe" Diokno: "Yes men are said Mr, Duterte shoutd be re- candidates "so the President spokesperson Salvador Panelo event
not compatible with democra- minded that May's midterm elec- need not speak for his candi- said on Monday. "You know he "l
cy. We can strengthen our lead- tions were not just about him. dates." always tries to make people are a
ers by pointing out what they "The role of the bpposition laugh in those situations." ways
are doing that is wrong." Challenge to debate is to question, criticize and pro . Panelo, however, said there eveni
Other Otso Diretso candi- "The election in May is not pose alternative solutions that was nothing wrong with Mr. to Mi
dates also reminded Mr. centered on you who think the provide better opportunities to Duterte's remarks. Angal
Duterte of the importance of only qualifications of those our fellow Filipinos," he said. Ar
opposition to a democratic gov- running are to be quiet and nod Election lawyer Romulo Only 2 PICC
came to not t
ernment. their heads to your wishes. Macalintal said: "With due re- "You must remember that candi
Former Solicitor General This election is for the Fil- spect, Mr. President, our run- the President has his own can- "'I
Florin Hilbay made a similar ipinos' future," Alejano said in ning for office is about platform didates and under the law he verrur
point in a separate statement. Filipino. and conviction. It's always can erdorse or campaign eepon
"We are still a democracy "Lawmaling is a serious iob about country." against. So there's nothing learr
and not a dictatorship, aren't to help Filipinos. Let's not make Malacanang said the public wrong as faras I amconcerned," eaere,

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