(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte said he would also attend protest actions slated today, Thursday (Sept. 21) which he had earlier declared as a “National Day of Protest.” But this is to “protest” what he called the presence of “yellow” elements in the government, especially appointees of the previous administration with fixed terms.
Duterte said he would also protest the presence of corrupt government officials and employees appointed by the Aquino administration.
The President earlier signed Proclamation No. 319 declaring September 21 as a National Day of Protest.
He said he signed the proclamation “in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability in government.”
And since this day of protest is for everyone, he said he would be among those joining the protest actions too.
“Kasi ako magpoprotesta rin kasi maraming mga dilaw nand’yan sa mga commission, napaka-corrupt,” the President said in an interview aired on government-owned PTV-4 recently.
“So even ‘yong sa mga directory board, eh magpoprotesta rin ako because I cannot remove them simply because they have a fixed term, there is security of tenure,” he said.
“Ibig sabihin, hindi mo basta-basta mapaalis. It’s either sa civil service or you have to go to court to oust them,” Duterte added.
The President also named Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon as among what he termed “yellow” appointees of the previous administration.
He claimed Gascon was the real spokesperson of the Liberal Party, the party of the previous Aquino administration.
“Si Gascon ay talagang spokesman ng Liberal. Kung magka-isyu lang isang patay, balik-balikin n’ya yan. ‘Yong patay, nailibing na, mag-anibersaryo na lang, ‘yan ang pabalik-balik n’ya,” Duterte said.
“And I am really pissed of because maraming patay na dapat tingnan itong Human Rights,” he added.
The President again hit the CHR for being “melodramatic” for publicizing two or three alleged human rights abuse issues against the government, but would “ignore” other deaths that need their investigation.
“My God, what kind of a government agency are you? You stick on one or two or three, make it a melodramatic affair for…your protest then ignoring all other deaths of Filipinos, which should have called your attention also,” he added.
Malacanang had earlier suspended work in government offices and classes in public schools today in view of the observance of the National Day of Protest. (Eagle News Service)
