
Makabayan bloc deplores death threats
GABRIELA Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas has strongly condemned the recent death threats made by former President Rodrigo Duterte against the members of the Makabayan bloc.
In defending his Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds, the former President said ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro is the target of intelligence funds and that he wants to kill her and all groups he branded as communists.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the death threats made by former President Duterte. Threatening the lives of elected representatives is a blatant violation and a dangerous attack on the rights of individuals who are merely pushing for transparency and accountability in government spending,” Brosas said.
“We take his threats seriously, especially with his administration’s bloody legacy of extrajudicial killings and political persecution,”Brosas added.
Brosas said that the bloating of the budget for confidential and intelligence funds started during the administration of President Duterte, where he funneled P4.5 billion in “confidential” or “intelligence” funds into the Office of the President.
“It is no suprising that former President Duterte, who was best known for being misogynistic and violent, would issue death threats against progressive lawmakers in defense of Vice President Sara Duterte as he and his daughter seemed to share the same obsession on confidential funds,” Brosas said.
Gabriela Women’s Party said the former President no longer has immunity, and calls on the authorities to take these threats seriously and ensure the safety and security of all elected representatives.
“We will not be silenced by threats and intimidation. We will continue to advocate for government transparency and the abolition of confidential funds. We in the Makabayan bloc are also looking into possible legal actions against him,” the lady solon said.