- Netizens reacted negatively to how the President attacked the former senatorial candidate.
- The President attacked Diokno on his physical appearance and compared him to a janitor.
President Rodrigo Duterte hit human rights lawyer Chel Diokno for allegedly criticizing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging citizens to defy the lockdown on Friday night.
In a public address, the President uttered insults against the former senatorial candidate.
“Leche ka, galit ako sa’yo, ulol ka,” Duterte said.
In his speech, he said that Diokno was among the “lousy lawyers” who are allegedly encouraging people to violate the law as he also mocked Diokno’s loss in the 2019 midterm elections. He also made fun of the lawyer’s teeth.
“Problema sa’yo, ‘pag nagsalita ka, ang laki ng ngipin mo kaya na-discourage ang mga tao,” he said.
“Pag magkita tayo, patalsikin ko isang ngipin mo.”
On Thursday, the human rights lawyer revealed that the National Investigation Office (NBI) summoned social media users who expressed their opinions on the government’s response to the pandemic.
He said that the NBI’s actions will bring a chilling effect since his client, who was summoned to explain, did not post misinformation but “fair commentary on matters of public interest.”
Netizens reacted negatively on social media on how the President lashed out at the former senatorial candidate.
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1246110986655825921
A netizen said that the President used his public address is to intimidate Diokno. Another said that lawyer was “getting on his nerves”.
https://twitter.com/maratanch/status/1246095885307502595?fbclid=IwAR3xqoRss3XREIcdkP-jOVgwEUQq4h1fIVDPAfwO6cgu94OTH49H9Y-kYcA
*Chel Diokno getting into his nerves.*
Duterte: activates 'ad hominem' card#ICantStandThePresident pic.twitter.com/5JKzbRdg2M— sol (@candieeenicole) April 3, 2020
The President attacked Diokno on his physical appearance and compared him to a janitor.
Salamat kay Duterte, may winning slogans na raw agad si Chel Diokno:
The tooth shall set us free!
The tooth shall prevail!— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) April 3, 2020
Wow. Duterte just compared Atty Chel Diokno to a JANITOR!
And he’s now attacking Atty. Chel’s physical appearance specifically his teeth, threatening Atty. Chel as he defends those being summoned by NBI.
Napakagago.
Wala ka sa kalingkingan ni Atty.Chel!
Napakabobo mo Duterte!
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) April 3, 2020
Some netizens said that the President failed to address the main issue in his public address, which is the COVID-19 crisis.
The way how Duterte used his platform to insult and threaten Diokno really shows how miserable he is and failed to give concrete plans to address the main issue. What a fucking joke!!! #ICantStandThePresident https://t.co/PlA4sdwyWC
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) April 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/raeaval/status/1246099149994352640?fbclid=IwAR0bRuUdh26FgLqNUvnSSNJ_tG_njvWly9qx9FGeFGR4POH6v_w75gITPUk
