Ka Leody says Duterte should release evidence in naming corrupt, unfit presidential bets

Labor leader and presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman on Tuesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to release evidence after saying that he would name presidential aspirants who are "most corrupt" and who he thinks lacks the know-how to become president.

De Guzman issued the call after Duterte said that he would spill the beans on the presidential aspirants in the 2022 elections “in due time.”

“Kung talagang pagmamalasakit sa bayan at hindi simpleng pagpuwesto para sa negosasyon ang kabanatang ito, hinahamon natin ang pangulo na maglabas ng ebidensya hindi lang puro patutsada,” the labor leader said in a statement.

(If this is really about caring for the people and not simply a place for negotiations, we challenge the President to come up with evidence.)

He also urged Duterte to concentrate on the country’s recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other problems including livelihood, climate, and rights of the people.

‘Lame duck’

“Nag-iingay ang pato para hindi siya katayin pagtapos ng kanyang termino at upang hindi mabawi ang naipon niyang itlog sa anim na taon,” De Guzman said.

(He is just making noise because his term would end, and that it cannot recover the eggs that he had accumulated for six years.)

“Pamumulitika ang inaatupag ng hambog na si Duterte, imbes na konsentrahan ang mga krisis sa kalusugan, kabuhayan, klima, at karapatan,” he added.

(It is about the politics and arrogance of Duterte, instead of concentrating on the crisis in health, livelihood, climate, and rights.)

In the second part of his pre-recorded Talk to the People that was aired on Tuesday, Duterte said he has personal knowledge on the presidential bets and that it is not his business to lie.

Duterte said he has yet to speak about the aspirants in the upcoming elections because it is still “too early.”

Meanwhile, the President said he would leave it up to the people the decision to believe him or not. — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA News