Duterte is an embarrassment to PH - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has berated Mr. Duterte for resorting to sick jokes and banters to divert public attention away from lingering accusations leveled against him and his family for allegedly amassing huge sum of unexplained wealth.

Instead of resorting to diversionary tactics, De Lima said Mr. Duterte should squarely explain the issues plaguing his administration, including his son Paolo Duterte's alleged involvement in the illegal drug trading in the country.

"Nakakasuka ka na, Mr. Duterte, sa mga so-called 'jokes' mo, sick jokes, the latest being that 'd*ck joke' in Puerto Princesa. [Y]ou're the lowest, most depraved and decadent 'leader' our country ever had. You've done nothing but cause us embarrassment to the world," she said in a handwritten statement.

"Harapin mo nang maayos ang mga sunod-sunod na mga isyu na sumasabog sa mukha mo - 'The Real Narcolist,' PCIJ Report on your family's wealth, the massacre of the 14 Negros Oriental famers, etc," she added.

Duterte recently made headlines locally and internationally after making his private part a subject of his joke during the PDP-Laban campaign sortie held in Puerto Prinsesa City last April 4.

In his speech, Duterte even boasted how he walked around naked at his dormitory when he was still a student and that the sight of his private part drew admiration from other residents.

Duterte's statement came shortly after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) published a report on the alleged growing wealth of Duterte's three children, including Paolo Duterte, Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sebastian Duterte who are all running in the May midterm elections.

The President also made the controversial speech while his son Paolo Duterte is being questioned for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the country.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, said Duterte's diversionary tactic cannot anymore fool the public into forgetting his and his family's sins alleged crimes committed against the Filipino people.

"Akala mo siguro maaaliw mo lang ang mga tao sa mga kabastusan mo, at makakalimutan na ang mga kasalanan mo sa bayan. Nagkakamali ka!" she said.

"Your jokes or non-jokes, not even the sickest one, cannot make us forget your escalating sins," she added.

Last March 28, De Lima filed Senate Resolution 1033 pressing her colleagues to thoroughly investigate the alleged involvement of Yang in the illegal drug trade and find out if the Chinese businessman has abused his special position as economic adviser.