PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday has warned Senator Richard Gordon for alleged malversation of public funds during his stint as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
In his usual address to the nation, Duterte accused Gordon of stealing nearly a hundred million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was distributed to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the humanitarian organization which the senator currently heads.
“May PDAF ka. Saan mo binigay? Senator ka. Ibinigay mo doon sa sarili mo sa Red Cross,” he said.
The Chief Executive cited how the Commission on Audit (COA) has first issued a notice of disallowance to SBMA when Gordon was still the chairman.
He underscored that while COA observation pertains to an audit that points out the deficiencies and adequacies of a particular agency or organization,
Disallowance, on the other hand, refers to a “final imprimatur” of the state auditors.
Duterte claimed that, of the P140 million fund that was flagged under “disallowance” by the COA, P86 million was stolen by Gordon.
This alleged malversation prompted him to warn Gordon, should the latter fail to give back the public funds.
“I would like to inquire from the Ombudsman if there is a case filed against you because lahat na nadisallow and the money was not returned, the money was not used in the right way, it reduces into something like a personal liability mo,” Duterte said.
“Kindly settle or [if] not, I will personally see to it that a case will be filed against you,” he added.
The President has also challenged the legislator to give up one of his posts, insisting that it is illegal for Gordon to serve as a senator and the chairman of the PRC at the same time.
He noted that no one may have previously dared to challenge and press questions about it but all officials are well aware that the Constitution restricts them to hold two different public offices simultaneously as it might overlap and create conflict in the performance of one’s public duties.
“Do not say that Red Cross and ikaw ay separate identity. That’s bullsh*t. Every lawyer knows. You are a dual personality which is banned or prohibited by law. Dapat noon pa dinemanda ka na. Wala lang naglakas ng loob kasi, when you begin to talk, wag na kasi maingay ‘yan. Wala pang naglakas ng loob to question you. Ngayon na lang kasi dahil nga rin sa kalokohan mo. Nakita mo, nasilip namin,” Duterte said.
“Bawal ‘yan, actually. Bawal. Even government lawyers [and] cabinet members cannot be an officer of a corporation or a company or even an owner of a business entity that deals with government. Bawal talaga ‘yan. Bitawan mo na ‘yan. I will insist that you give up one because you cannot be both,” he added.
As if his threat is not enough, Duterte—whose public address becomes a battle ring to stage his tirades against Gordon—expressed dismay on the Senate panel of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is presided by the latter.
The hearing, which Duterte described as a “merry-go-round questioning,” seeks to probe Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation’s P8.6-billiondeal with the government regarding its procurement of medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President reiterated his defense that no damage was made by the government in terms of monetary disbursement.