MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima dismissed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's criticisms that state investigators are failing to build a case against alleged rice smuggling mogul David Tan.
"Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Mayor Duterte. Nagtatrabaho po kami. Hindi po kami nagpapabaya gaya ho ng sinasabi ninyo," De Lima said in a radio report on Monday.
Duterte accused De Lima of opening her mouth first for "publicity" before taking action on criminal activities that cost the government billions in expected revenue.
Hitting back, De Lima said Duterte is not well known for talking clean and advised him not to make baseless statements.
"Everybody is aware that he’s got a lousy mouth," she said.
Read: Duterte to De Lima: Stop talking, start working