UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Diego Garcia-Sayan via OHCHR
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has warned United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Diego Garcia-Sayan against interfering in the internal affairs of the Philippines.
“He is not a special person. And I do not recognize his rapporteur title. Tell him not to interfere with the affairs of my country. He can go to hell,” the firebrand president said before his departure to Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, June 1.
The UN expert’s remarks which was published on the UNHCR Office of the Higher Commissioner’s website, said the expulsion of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno implied that the country’s judicial independence is under threat.
“The derogatory statements and threats by President Duterte, which have been televised, broadcast on radio, and carried by newspapers, constitute a vicious attack on the independence of the judiciary,” Garcia-Sayan said.
President Duterte reiterated that he did not interfere with the ouster of Sereno. He added that it was all the doing of Solicitor General Jose Calida.
As always, the President threatened to resign if proven that he meddled with the judicial process, or he influenced anyone from Congress for the ouster of Sereno.
“Magtanong ka ng isang congressman ni isa lang o senador ni isa. Isa lang. Huwag na marami. Your House of Representatives, 200 plus ‘yan. Magtanong ka kung may sinabi ko ba na, ‘i-impeach natin ito, whoever.'” Pagka may isa ka diyan, bababa ako pagka-Presidente. I will resign. Hindi ako nakikialam,” he said.
(Ask any congressman or senator. Just one; doesn’t have to be many. The House of Representatives has 200 plus members. Ask any of them if I ever said, “Impeach this person, or whoever.” If any one of them says I did, I will step down as president. I will resign. I never interfere.) – Asher Cadapan Jr. | UNTV News & Rescue
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