Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, ignited controversy by suggesting a bomb blast to eliminate senators and make room in the Senate for his preferred candidates. This startling statement was made during a campaign rally in Manila, where Duterte is campaigning for the mayoral position in Davao, a role he previously held for two decades before his presidency. The crowd at the rally responded with loud cheers as Duterte made this provocative comment in a mix of Filipino and English, saying, "Let's just kill the senators now so we will have more vacancies."
Duterte's statement comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, as the composition of the Senate could significantly impact Vice President Sara Duterte's political future. Sara Duterte, who is facing impeachment proceedings that will be decided by the 24-member Philippine Senate, risks perpetual disqualification from public office if removed. The majority of the current senators are allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., making the Senate's final composition crucial for her survival in office.
In November, Sara Duterte delivered an expletive-laden speech asserting that she had instructed someone to assassinate President Marcos if she herself were killed. This statement highlights the complex relationship between Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr., who ran as political allies in 2022, securing a historic landslide victory. The political landscape remains tense as these developments unfold.
Rodrigo Duterte, known for his profanity-laden threats against public figures including politicians, judges, and police officers, has a history of controversial remarks. His presidency was marked by an aggressive drug war that led to an estimated 7,000 deaths according to Philippine police, although human rights advocates claim the number could be as high as 30,000. The International Criminal Court is currently investigating these killings.
Duterte's son Sebastian also faces legal challenges, with a trial pending although no date has been set. This adds another layer of complexity to the Duterte family's involvement in Philippine politics.
