Exclusive - I DONT CARE - Duterte On De Lima Ousting

On Monday, September 19, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would not intervene in the latest developments in congress.

“I do not intervene, dwell into matters not part of my territory,” Duterte maintained. 

Duterte also added, “I don’t care how many hearings are there, UN, BU, U2, B2, B52, basta ako nakatutok sa aking trabaho (I am only focused on my job).”

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar sent a text message to Palace Reporters saying, “It’s a separate branch of government so we leave things to its leadership.” 

16 Senators voted to drive out Sen. Leia De Lima as the Justice Committee Chairman.

4 Senators only wanted Sen. De Lima to remain as chair, Liberal Party Members Senator Francis Pangilinan, Senate Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Risa Hontiveros.

Minority Leader Ralph Recto and Sen. Trillanes abstained.

The Senators who voted De Lima out were:

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel

Senator Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Sen. Grace Poe

Sen. Loren Legarda

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito

Sen. Nancy Binay

Sen. Richard Gordon

Sen. Joel Villanueva

Sen. Sonny Angara

Sen. Gregorio Honasan

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian

Sen. Cynthia Villar

Sen. Panfilo Lacson

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri

De Lima remains convinced that Pres. Duterte was behind the ousting.

However, President Duterte said that he will focus on fulfilling what he promised during his campaign: stop illegal drug operations rather than him meddling with congress.

“I will stick to my own agenda. Congress, they have their own show,” Duterte said.

Source : TNP , Rappler