Duterte to Congress: Respect resource persons during hearings

Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte yesterday called on Congress to be circumspect in conducting public hearings and respect executive officials and men in uniform during hearings.

Duterte, in particular, cited the need to respect soldiers and policemen and refrain from humiliating resource persons during public hearings.

He asked members of the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives to treat witnesses with respect.

“Kung mainit ulo mo, menopause ka na, umalis ka diyan (If you lawmakers are hot-headed or suffering from menopause, leave),” he said.

Duterte recalled the case of retired military chief Angelo Reyes, who was asked to attend a hearing about corruption in the military in 2011.

He noted that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV had berated Reyes on the alleged irregularities in the handling of military funds, which many believe prompted the former general to commit suicide.

Incidentally, Trillanes also accused Duterte of maintaining a secret bank account with more than P200 million during the campaign period.

Duterte acknowledged later on that he has bank accounts but they did not contain huge sums as claimed by the senator.

In January 2011, retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, a former subordinate of Reyes, told a Senate hearing that his former superior got P50 million in “pabaon” or sendoff money when the latter retired in 2001.

Rabusa said the cash gift is part of a longstanding tradition in the Armed Forces.

He also claimed that the major services and various offices were used as “clearing houses” to ensure that retiring officers would get hefty cash gifts.

Reyes had denied Rabusa’s allegations and claimed that he never amassed wealth through illegal means.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is hoping that Duterte will be a strong president.

Estrada said the people gave their support to Duterte because of their hunger for peace and order to reign in the country.

“I hope he makes a strong president and will do all that he says,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he is willing to give advice to Duterte should it be sought.

“I hope that we can talk,” the former president said.