On the occasion of the anniversary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corrupt on held in Malacañang last week, President Rody Duterte said that Senator De Lima is politically dead, that she is, or her political career is practically over. The president has even gone to the extent of suggesting that the lady senator would be better off if she hanged herself. Of course, that was another figure of speech, a hyperbole, if you will. But the stinging remark was climaxed with a peremptory and succinct suggestion to resign from her post, having judged her to be politically dead.
In a matter of minutes the Senate-based press reporters were able to ask the senator on her reaction to the latest presidential diatribe. Without batting an eyelash, she said that indeed, resignation as an option did cross her mind, she confessed. But, after some reflection, she said that resignation is only for those who are weak and those who are guilty. Then she dared declare that she is not resigning at all because she is neither guilty nor weak. The tough-talking senator has projected for herself an image of strength amidst these "slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes," to borrow that immortal line from Shakespeare. But until when would the lady be able to hold her ground.
I don't think that De Lima can win this series of word wars against the president. De Lima seems to be alone now in her chosen belligerency, as her Liberal Party allies have chosen to remain silent for their own good. Not even Frank Drilon, the big man in the Senate has spoken in de Lima's defense. Nor are other LP senators and their allies like Senators Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Aquino, and Recto coming to the rescue of the damsel in distress. De Lima was the one who started this fight and the president is only giving to her what she started after all. De Lima does not know the wall she is trying to bump into.
Duterte is a very good and loyal friend but a very bad and ferocious enemy. De Lima committed the mistake of trying to show off when she was still the Chair of the Commission on Human Rights. She made allegations and charges about the supposed Davao Death Squad when in fact, later, there was no competent evidence produced precisely to establish the truth to that allegations.
Thus, no charge was ever filed, much less proven. Then, during the campaign, De Lima kept on repeating such allegations in her public speeches and press interviews. Thus, all these tirades from the president are natural acts of getting even.
He or she who comes to the court of public opinion must do so if he or she has clean hands. Those who live in glass houses must not be the first to throw stones. He or she who has no sin among men may the first one to throw stones to others.
They who have skeletons in their closets are better advised to invoke their right to remain silent. For one reaps what he or she plants. Whatever you do not want to be done to you, don't do it to others.
We are not saying that de Lima is guilty.We have no way to say that nor proof to establish that.We are not commenting on the substance of the allegations. We are just expressing our views on this word war between two of our top officials.
And, we are sure that one of them is not telling the truth.