Duterte Sparks Outrage: ‘Kill the Senators’ Remark Shocks the Nation!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a recent political rally, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made a controversial remark suggesting the elimination of current senators to create vacancies for his preferred candidates. Speaking at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial proclamation event on February 13, 2025, Duterte jested, "Now, there’s many of them. What should we do? Let’s kill the senators now to create vacancies," eliciting laughter from the audience. 

This statement has drawn sharp criticism from various lawmakers and public figures. Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed alarm, stating that such remarks should not be taken lightly and could have serious consequences. 

 Similarly, former Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Senator Hontiveros reacted with concern to Duterte's comments, emphasizing the potential dangers of normalizing violent rhetoric in political discourse. 

Despite the backlash, some of Duterte's allies have downplayed the incident, suggesting that the remarks were made in jest and should not be overanalyzed. This defense, however, has not mitigated the concerns of those who fear that such statements could incite real-world violence or undermine democratic institutions.

This controversy arises amidst significant political turmoil in the Philippines. Just last week, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president's daughter, on charges including misuse of public funds and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials. 

 The impeachment has deepened political divisions and raised questions about the Duterte family's influence in the nation's politics.

The former president's recent comments also bring to mind his previous admissions regarding the use of a "death squad" during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. In a Senate inquiry three months ago, Duterte confirmed the existence of such a squad aimed at controlling crime, a revelation that has been met with both domestic and international condemnation. 

As the nation approaches the upcoming elections, these events underscore the volatile nature of Philippine politics. The interplay of controversial rhetoric, legal proceedings against high-ranking officials, and the enduring influence of political dynasties continues to shape the country's democratic landscape.

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