Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu said on Sunday that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be punished for his remark on killing senators to make way for his preferred candidates in the 2025 elections.Last Thursday, Duterte suggested killing senators to create vacancies for his bets, adding the only way to do so is by using a bomb.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/15/marcos-jr-fires-back-at-duterte-in-kill-senators-twit-2146">Marcos Jr. fires back at Duterte over &#x27;kill senators&#x27; twit</a></div>Espiritu criticized Duterte for &quot;normalizing&quot; violence and killing through his remarks.&quot;Ginagawa niyang mainstream ang kabastusan. Ginagawa niyang mainstream ang patayan. Siya ang pinakamasahol na naging Presidente. Siya ang Presidente na sinira na talaga hindi lang ang lipunang Pilipino, kung &#x27;di ang values ng mga Pilipino. Dapat siyang purgahin sa ating kasaysayan,&quot; he said ahead of their proclamation rally.&quot;Si Duterte ang example ng dapat binibitay para magkaroon tayo ng leksyon sa ating kasaysayan na binibitay natin ang mga mamamatay tao. Binibitay natin ang corrupt, binibitay natin ang bastos sa kababaihan, pinaparusahan natin,&quot; the labor lawyer said.Espiritu said the former President must be held accountable for his remarks.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/16/lawmaker-wants-nbi-to-probe-rodrigo-duterte-s-kill-senators-remark-1106">NBI urged to probe Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s &#x27;kill senators&#x27; remark</a></div>&quot;Si Duterte ang number one example na kapag hindi &#x27;yan maparusahan, hindi &#x27;yan maaresto, ang ating lipunang Pilipino ang ating values ay bubulusok, magiging basurahan. At ang ating kaisipan ay magiging talagang nasa pinakamababa na,&quot; he said.The senatorial bet said they will not stoop down to Duterte&#x27;s level and instead focus on discussing issues during the campaign trail.&quot;Hindi tayo ganyan. Ang gusto natin nag-aaddress kami sa mas mataas na kamulatan. Kaya kami nagsasalita kami mga issues, hindi &#x27;yung patay patay na &#x27;yan. Nagsasalita kami tungkol sa sahod, tungkol sa kontraktuwalisasyon, tungkol sa kahirapan, tungkol sa reporma sa lupa, tungkol sa ekonomiya na dapat magkaroon ng produksyon, tungkol sa suporta sa MSME. Ganyan substantial ang aming binibitbit. Hindi tulad ng ehemplo ni Duterte,&quot; Espiritu said.Despite suggesting punishment for Duterte, Espiritu clarified he is not in favor of death penalty.&quot;Death penalty will only be applied against the poor in our country na kung saan ang justice system ay para sa mayayaman, maraming nakukulong sa plunder pero pinapakawalan,&quot; he said.&quot;Kapag may death penalty, puro mahihirap na &#x27;yan. Pero sinasabi ko, para ako sa revolutionary justice at &#x27;yan ay historical. Kapag dumating ang panahon na babaguhin natin ang ating lipunan, dapat si Duterte ay example na bigyan ng revolutionary justice,&quot; the labor lawyer added.Espiritu has been vocal about criticism on traditional politicians and political dynasties, including former President Duterte and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte.The labor lawyer is once again running for the Senate after a failed bid in 2022.

Senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu said on Sunday former President Rodrigo Duterte should be punished for his remark on killing senators to make way for his preferred candidates in the 2025 elections.

Senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu said on Sunday former President Rodrigo Duterte should be punished for his remark on killing senators to make way for his preferred candidates in the 2025 elections.

Luke Espiritu: Ex-Pres. Duterte should be punished for 'kill senators' remark

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Luke Espiritu: Ex-Pres. Duterte should be punished for 'kill senators' remark

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 16, 2025 11:35 PM PHT

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Updated February 17, 2025 12:22 AM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

Luke Espiritu

senatorial candidate

Senate

campaign

Halalan 2025

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