Rody denies China interfered in 2016
You are in olden times, if we were at war, you are guilty of treason
President Rodrigo Duterte has denied accusations that China interfered in the 2016 elections to help him win the presidency.
In his speech broadcast Monday, Duterte said there was no way to buy 16 million votes to ensure his victory in the presidential race during the previous elections.
“How will China help me? You are stupid. Where did you get that (information)? Sixteen — will you get 16 million (votes) from the help of other nations? Will you be able to buy 16 million (votes)?” the President said.
Duterte also hit back at former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario for making such a claim, saying he would run after him for allegedly committing treason.
He then threatened to confront Del Rosario and to throw a cup of coffee on the former Foreign Affairs Secretary’s face.
“I have not, for the life of me, sued anybody for libel or anything during my 23 years (in public service, including) four years as congressman then as vice mayor until being a President. But I will run after you because you transmitted that message,” he said, speaking partly in Filipino.
“You are in olden times, if we were at war, you are guilty of treason,” the President added.
Duterte insulted Del Rosario by questioning his citizenship and appearance.
In response, Del Rosario said: “For this coming election, our humble view is that our people should vote for the candidate who is good for our country and not one who is good for China.”
How will China help me? You are stupid. Where did you get that (information)?
Last week, as the country marked the fifth anniversary of its historic arbitral win against China before The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, Del Rosario alleged that senior Chinese officials had boasted about their influence over the 2016 elections.
Del Rosario, who served as Philippine ambassador to the United States prior to his appointment as foreign secretary, said his information came from a “highly trustworthy international institution” he had refused to disclose.
“On February 22, 2019, we received information from a most reliable international entity that high officials from China are bragging that they had been able to influence the 2016 Philippine elections so that Duterte would be president,” he said during a forum on 12 July.
Del Rosario also cited Duterte’s pronouncement in 2018 that China’s President Xi Jinping had vowed to protect him from moves that could see him removed from office.
Since assuming the presidency in 2016, Duterte has forged cordial ties with China, as well as Russia.