(Eagle News)–Senator Leila de Lima has slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for what she said were his rants about his work as the chief executive, urging him to concentrate on his job instead.
“A competent leader would have nothing else on his mind at this moment except to govern, face the pressing issues hounding the nation, and ease the suffering of the Filipinos, especially the poor and vulnerable members of our society,” De Lima, who is detained on drug-related charges, said in a statement.
According to De Lima, every attempt by Duterte to complain about his role as a president is a “missed opportunity” for him to serve and improve the lives of Filipinos.
She also hit Duterte for what she said was his penchant for blaming others “every time he fails to fulfill his duty as a president.”
He should “stop using the opposition as easy scapegoat for his failed governance, or the lack thereof,” De Lima said.
“Now is not the time for the President to rant and play politics – not when thousands of his countrymen are suffering from unemployment, poverty and human rights abuses, among others,” she added.
On June 12, the President, in a speech before newly-elected local government officials in Cagayan De Oro City, warned his daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, not to follow in his footsteps and seek the presidency.
The Davao mayor is being touted as a possible replacement for her father when he steps down in 2022.
She has been coy about her political plans so far.
