MANILA, Philippines – Erwin TULFO, a news anchor and
broadcaster on radio and television, said on Thursday (February 27, 2020) that
President Rodrigo Duterte told the US not to interrupt most especially in De
lima’s Case for the reason that it has been approved by the Supreme Court. The
said issue was started when two US senators – Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy,
who amended the 2020 budget law of US to add a provision which will deny the
entry of PH government official from entering US, who is involved in De Lima’s imprisonment.
Tulfo also added that the Supreme Court agrees the decision on
De Lima’s arrest and imprisonment.
President Rodrigo Duterte said directly to US that the
Supreme Court will not allow such event to happen “IF” we violate the law.
“Kung may nilabag kami
sa gobyerno, eh di sana’y hindi pumayag ang kataastaasang hukoman namin.” –
President Duterte.
President Rodrigo Duterte also added that the US condemn the
Philippines, as if we do not respect justice.
“Binabastos nyo naman
kami, parang sinasabi nyo wala kaming galang sa hustisya.” – President Duterte.
And so, the President’s decision about the request of two US
Senators for freeing De Lima, is a “NO”. President Duterte strongly answered a “NO”
for the reason that he is a back-up of the Supreme Court. Erwin Tulfo explains that
the SC has higher authority when giving decisions about De Lima’s case, and
also, because it is the one who interprets the law.
Meanwhile, for human rights, President Duterte already
answered that the Supreme Court also has the right to order a warrant of arrest
against De Lima. “Sabi yan ng Supreme
Court naming na may karapatan na arestohin at ikulong si De Lima.” – Tulfo statement
in behalf of the President.
In addition prior to the statement of President Duterte to
the US, the imprisonment of De Lima was stated in the law which agreed by the higher
court of the Philippines.
As the report progresses, Tulfo contacted Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and talked about the issue. Tulfo stated that it is clearly not a political persecution because the Supreme Court agrees prior to De Lima’s arrest due to the strong evidence against the senator. Atty. Salvador Panelo agrees to Tulfo and said why the US intrudes in such matter (bakit sila nanghihimasok).
As the report progresses, Tulfo contacted Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and talked about the issue. Tulfo stated that it is clearly not a political persecution because the Supreme Court agrees prior to De Lima’s arrest due to the strong evidence against the senator. Atty. Salvador Panelo agrees to Tulfo and said why the US intrudes in such matter (bakit sila nanghihimasok).
