Duterte tells Congress not to demean Cabinet, other officials appearing in inquiry

February 19, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte urged on Monday Congress to treat with dignity the Cabinet officials, generals and other officers who appear before them in any inquiry.

Duterte made the call after his special assistant Christopher "Bong" Go and other Cabinet and military officers appeared in the Senate inquiry on the alleged anomaly involving the Navy frigate contract.

"I'm telling Congress now, with due, with the utmost respect: please treat them as if they are really a general, a Cabinet member and officer. Do not demean them before the public," he said.

He said the lawmakers should not follow the behavior of the Americans who are "rude."

"So why don't you just investigate first rather than on a mere gossip, including piece of paper. You call them and they have to answer for hours of grueling questions and all. And they will only be disrespected," Duterte said.

The President said he would not allow it to his officials.

"I know that Congress has the power to do it. I know that I have to obey the Constitution and obey the summons," he said.

But he said if the lawmakers would disrespect his officials, his orders would be to walkout.

"If you are degraded, if your are inflicted with the wounds of your dignity as a person, stand up and go out," he said.

"If you are arrested, I will object. If they won't release you, I will go to Congress even alone to get you. And if I die in the process, let it be. Because over and above these things, the Constitution individually and collectively protects the Filipino and his dignity," he stressed.

During Go's appearance in the Senate, he said he advised his close aide just to tell the truth.

Go denied meddling in the controversial P15.7 billion Philippine Navy frigate project. Celerina Monte/DMS