Alyansa senatorial bets react to Duterte arrest

TACLOBAN CITY — Senatorial candidates from the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas voiced their sentiments Friday as regards the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity.

At a press conference, former Senator Panfilo ''Ping'' Lacson admitted that the recent development has been affecting the campaign of the slate given that the former chief executive has a lot of supporters.

Lacson, however, urged the public that instead of escalating ''divisiveness,'' they should help in easing the tension.

''I’ll be honest with you. Siyempre may epekto. Hindi natin maipagkakaila na maraming supporters si FPRRD. Rightly or wrongly, siyempre nandoon ang kanilang sentiment para sa kanya. But tayo naman, instead na tumulong tayong makadagdag pa tayo sa pag-escalate ng divisiveness, mas maganda sigurong tumulong tayong mag-deescalate,'' Lacson said.

(There's an effect. We can't deny that FPRRD has a lot of supporters. Rightly or wrongly, the sentiment is there for him. But us, instead of escalating divisiveness, let us help in deescalating it.)

Lacson said the Philippine government should continue showing that it is ready to help any Filipino citizen outside the country.

''There are so many ways of helping, 'di lang legal or financial kasi baka medyo awkward ang situation but there are so many ways,'' Lacson said.

Public consultation

For his part, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo said a public consultation could be done to hear the clamor of Filipinos. He also said Duterte would remain innocent until proven guilty of the accusations thrown against him.

Tulfo stressed that the public should ''let justice takes its due course'' on the matter.

''We have other problems that we have to deal now,'' Tulfo said.

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay echoed Tulfo's remark of trusting the legal process on the issue.

She said it is not for them to answer if the arrest made was correct, noting that it was a legal question.

Senator Imee Marcos, who is President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr's sister, will not attend the campaign rally in Tacloban City, saying that she cannot accept what happened to Duterte.

On Tuesday morning, authorities served a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

The plane carrying Duterte departed the Philippines on Tuesday evening heading to The Hague in the Netherlands.

Early Thursday morning (Philippine time), Duterte entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.

Duterte's first appearance at the ICC has been set for Friday evening, Manila time. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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