The government is still paying for damages arising from the scuttled contractual obligations during the Aquino administration, President Duterte said recently.
The President said former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay failed to win government cases related to contracts with other parties that resulted in the payment of damages.
“Ito si Florin Hilbay. Solicitor General. Wala namang ipinanalo. Nanalo ba tayo sa kaso natin? Karami nating bayad, totoo lang ngayon. Hindi akin, previous administration mga damages, mga kontrata because we were known then as a country who does not honor contractual obligations,” he said during his recent visit to Batangas City. “Marami tayong binabayaran ngayon. Ang ating abugado si Florin Hilbay,” he added.
Duterte belittled the competence of Hilbay, who is running for senator under the Otso Diretso ticket, during the PDP-Laban campaign event in Batangas City.
The Chief Executive questioned anew the sexual orientation of Hilbay, who is currently in a relationship with actress Agot Isidro. “At lalaki naman sana bakit gay pangalan, Florin. Kaya kung makita mo ito maintindihan mo. Kasi ‘yung pangalan talaga niya…Hoy Florin, kasama mo palagi si Agot Isidro. Kayo na ba?” he said.
“Bayot itong buang na ‘to. Kaya ‘yan ilagay mo anong – anong silbi nitong g***** ‘to?” he added.
Duterte also took a swipe at other opposition senatorial candidates during the Batangas event, saying they have done nothing for the nation. “Ito na lang gawain ninyo para disgrasya ang Pilipinas, p****** i**. Oo, sige. Eh di magpili ka diyan,” he said.
He said while he admires former Sen. Wigberto Tañada, his son former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada only defended communists in the court. “Wala talagang ginawa. Ang tatay nationalist. Ito list lang, walang national,” he said.
Duterte also questioned the competence of lawyer Chel Diokno, saying he was unlike his brilliant father former Sen. Jose W. Diokno. “Chel Diokno. What’s in a name? W. Diokno? Tigas? Oh bilib kami. Nag-lecture ‘yon sa amin once upon a time. Talagang saludo ako. Doon kami natuto talaga ng mga trial,” he said.
“Pero ito si Chel Diokno, ano ito siya? Sabi ko nga, what’s in a name. Hindi dahil you are – pedigree mo. Ano bang ginawa nitong si Chel Diokno?” he added.
Duterte is also dismayed with senatorial bet Romulo Macalintal, who he claimed was the lawyer of rich politicians. If he gets elected, Duterte said Macalintal might only protect the “elitist rich.” “Macalintal? Did he appear for the poor people? Was he a public defender?” he asked.
He also railed against Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, saying he and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV were involved in failed mutinies. He claimed that the rebel soldiers ate steak and eventually surrendered to authorities to end the uprising. (Genalyn Kabiling)