Gordon, Go trade barbs over latter's mall visit with Duterte

Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday called out President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go for going to a fancy mall last Saturday amid the pandemic. Go however, said the criticism was malicious, and explained their visit was short and served as a chance for Duterte to take a break.

During the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon committee probe into the government procurement of allegedly overpriced COVID-19 supplies, Gordon slammed the luxury vehicles of the executives of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation despite the pandemic.

He then criticized the action of Duterte and Go to go to a luxurious mall in Makati after the filing of the latter's certificate of candidacy (COC) for Vice President last Saturday in Pasay City.

"May mga kotse na sila (Pharmally officials). 'Di mo maikukubli ang gagaling ng kotse nila. Ang gaganda at mamahalin. Mayroon po tayong tinatawag sa Civil Code, conspicuous consumption in times of crisis," Gordon said.

(They have luxurious cars. You cannot deny that. We have the Civil Code, conspicuous consumption in times of crisis.)

"May krisis po tayo, nakuha pa nilang bumili... Parang 'yung President at saka Senator Bong Go na matapos silang mag-file ng candidacy, hindi ko maintindihan bakit sila nagpunta sa isang gusali na nagtitinda ng mamahaling mga relo doon sa isang mamahalin na department store," he added.

(We're facing a crisis but they were still able to purchase luxurious vehicles. Like the President and Senator Bong Go. After Go filed his COC, I don't understand why they went to a store selling luxurious watches in a certain fancy mall.)

"Kung wala tayong mga budhi, hindi ba natin nalalaman nahihirapan ang mga tao? Pupunta pa tayo doon sa lugar ng mararangya na ang nakakabili," Gordon said.

(Aren't we aware that the public is facing hardships? And yet we still go to areas for rich people.)

Just bought cookies

In response to Gordon's criticism, Go said it was Duterte who asked that they promptly visit the mall. The senator said it was seen in the photos that he was still "working" while they were there.

He said they just bought some cookies at the mall. Go further said it was everyone's right to go there.

"Kita naman kahit sa picture na nasa telepono pa rin ako at nagtatrabaho pa rin. May mga iilan ring lumapit para magpa-picture sa kanya at in-entertain rin naman niya," Go said.

(It was seen in the photos that I was holding my phone and was still working. Some were approaching to take pictures with the President, which he entertained.)

"Mabilis lang kami doon at wala rin kaming binili bukod sa cookies dahil gusto lang talaga ni Pangulo na mag-ikot at maglakad-lakad. Ilang buwan na rin siyang hindi nakakalabas, nakakulong at puro trabaho," he added.

(We didn't stay long and we just bought some cookies. The President just wanted to unwind because for months, he was not allowed to go out and he was just working.)

"Pati ba naman ‘yung pagpunta niya ng mall, gagawan pa ng malisya. Karapatan naman ng sinuman iyon," he stressed.

(Even the President's visit to the mall is being criticized? Everyone has the right to go there.)

Checking businesses

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, for his part, argued that the Chief Executive was only checking how businesses were managing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"President Duterte went around personally checking how businesses are faring with the re-opening of industries and the economy. The President stayed for a few minutes and bought cookies – not a high-end watch, as one senator maliciously implied," Roque said in a statement.

"The President has worked tirelessly during this pandemic and will spend the remaining days of his term guiding the country towards post-COVID-19 recovery."

Duterte and Gordon are throwing criticisms at each other amid the continuing investigation into the purchase of COVID-19 items, which Duterte insisted was not corrupt. —KG/DVM, GMA News