PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, August 1, dubbed Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon as "smart-ass" for criticizing his move to appoint former military men to government posts.
In a speech delivered in Pasay City, the President told Gordon that there was nothing wrong with the appointment of retired uniformed men to key civilian posts in government.
He also lectured the senator that military and police officers who retire from service would go back to being a civilian.
"I took exception now to the statement of Senator Dick Gordon na sinabi niya, bakit ko kinukuha yung mga tawag niyang 'ex,' ang akin naman ay 'former' military officer. It's very dangerous daw kasi I will militarize my administration," he said during the Bureau of Fire Protection's 28th founding anniversary.
(I took exception now to the statement of Senator Dick Gordon who questioned my appointment of former military officer. He said it's very dangerous because I will militarize my administration.)
"You know that smart-ass. You know, ang civilian, Dick, civilian. Ang military 'pag nagretire, ang fireman, ang BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology), lahat kayo pag retire, you are civilian (You know that smart-ass. You know, Dick, civilian is civilian. A member of the military, the fireman, the BJMP are already a civilian once he retires)," he added.
Duterte made the statement in response to Gordon's latest remarks that appointing former cops and soldiers to government is "dangerous."
So far, the President has named nearly 50 former military and police officers to key civilian posts in government, including 10 Cabinet and Cabinet-level positions.
Section 3, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution states that "civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military."
Section 5(4), Article 16 of the Constitution likewise provides that "no member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations or any subsidiaries."
The Constitution, however, does not include a provision which addresses the appointment of retired uniformed men to government.
Duterte said his frequent appointment of retired police and military officers does not violate the law.
"Dick Gordon, do not be too presumptuous about your talent. Why do you criticize me? It's my prerogative. It is not prohibited by law. And the law says that the president shall be, kung may tulong siya sa mga taong Cabinet member (if he can help the Cabinet members), it doesn't say except those who are ex-military men because they are not qualified," he said.
"Sabi niyang probinsyano ako, sa bagay totoo 'yan. Pero at least, probinsyano ako, my brain stays in my head. 'Yung utak mo Dick, natutunaw, napupunta diyan sa tiyan mo. You are fart away from disaster. Intindihin mo muna yung tiyan mo bago ka makialam sa trabaho ko," Duterte added.
(He said I came from province. That's true, but at least, I'm someone who came from province and whose brain stays in my head. Dick, your brain is melting and going down to your stomach. You are fart away from disaster. Better take care of your stomach before you meddle in my work.)
Also, Duterte once again defended his plan to "militarize" government, saying he can work faster "with honesty" by appointing retired uniformed to civilian posts in government.
He added that he would rather want to work with the former cops and soldiers rather than with Gordon.
"Ang tanong niya sa akin, ano daw ang nakita ko sa military. Well one, sabihin ko sa'yo, I can move faster with honesty. Mahirap maghanap ng tao na honest ngayon. Sa 1,000, buti na lang kung kasali ka diyan sa dalawa, Dick Gordon," the President said.
(He asked me what I've seen with the military. Well, one, I'll tell you, I can move faster with honesty. It's difficult to find an honest person now. It's likely impossible that you, Dick Gordon, are one of the two honest people in every 1,000 people.)
"Marunong ka pa sa akin. Kaya kung ikaw ang nauna dito pagdating kong presidente, ikaw nakaharap ko, mag-resign na ako (You think you're brighter than me. If you're the one I faced when I became president, I'd rather resign)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)