DAVAO CITY, July 24 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte defended President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s right to be heard when the latter expressed his take on the Supreme Court ruling citing unconstitutional portions of the Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP).
He clarified that his defense on the President does not concern about either the DAP or the Priority Development Assistance Fund since he has nothing to do with it.
“Everybody has the right to be heard,” Duterte said.
He pointed out that the president being the chief executive had to answer the Supreme Court even for his personal consumption.
Duterte said that whether the president’s expression was directed to the Supreme Court or anybody, he was entitled to say about anything.
“The right to be heard, that is what I am defending the president,” he pointed out.
Duterte said he supports the President’s response to the Supreme Court because it is his right to be heard.
He said the right to be heard is enshrined in the constitution.
Duterte quoted Voltaire’s “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.”
He stressed that dissent is the essence of democracy.
“The right to dissent must be present in a democracy, otherwise it is a non-democratic state,” Duterte said.
He stressed that as a lawyer, he abides with the Supreme Court.
Duterte said he also defends the right of every citizen, including the president to be heard. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
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