By: Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III has maintained that Sen. Richard “Dick” J. Gordon will remain as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee even as the latter’s staunchest critic, Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, had moved for his removal.
“Sen. Gordon will stay as chair ng Blue Ribbon Commitee,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said Gordon is fit to lead the panel that looks into the malfeasance of government officials.
“Hindi naman niya hiningi yan, binigay ‘yan. Saka ang preferred dyan sa Blue Ribbon dapat abogado,” Pimentel explained, adding there were no other available lawyers in the Senate to lead the committee.
“Saka si Sen. Gordon, kahit na overworked na ‘yan, pinakiusapan ko ‘yan to handle the Blue Ribbon,” he added.
Pimentel noted that Gordon had been “very passionate” and had lost track of time but said he has already made “adjustments” in conducting his inquiries, particularly on the P6.4-billion shabu smuggled from China.
“Binigyan ng five to 10 minutes na makapagtanong. Kaya wala kang masasabi na hindi napapagbigyan na di nade-develop ‘yung kanyang theory,” he said, saying 10 minutes was “long enough” to ask questions.
Pimentel said he was able to prove it when he went to the seventh hearing on the smuggled shabu where presidential son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was invited.
“I went there to see it personally. Binigyan na ng time, naaddress na. Tapos limang beses mong tatanungin na nasagot na para sa propaganda sa taong bayan…Nagfocus sa tattoo, anong kinalaman? So sino ang may pagkukulang? Si Chairman Gordon o yung nagpumilit sa tattoo? Anong naprove dun?” Pimentel said.
Pimentel called the claim of Trillanes that he and Gordon were protecting President Duterte and his family a lie.
“Kasinungalingan na kino-quote ako na natutuwa akong pinro-kteksyunan ni Gordon ang pamilyang Duterte,” he said.